Harry MacFarlane and Illi Gardner flew up the Dipton Mill Road climb to claim the top titles as Muckle CC hosted the National Hill Climb Championships in Northumberland on Sunday.

The 1.2-kilometre climb near Hexham was lined with spectators almost all the way as the top climbers tackled the ascent in search of glory.

MacFarlane, the 27-year-old TAAP Kalas rider from London who was fourth in last year’s title race, covered the course in 3-09.43 to take victory by just over two seconds from reigning champion Andrew Feather (Hunt Bike Wheels.com) while Kieran Wynne-Cattanach (Team Lifting Gear Products) was third, another seven seconds back.

Meanwhile Gardner (Cardiff Ajax CC) claimed the women’s title for a third consecutive year with a time of 3-58.7 to win by 12.4 seconds from Lizi Brooke (Le Col Race Team), with Abi Plowman of Alba Development Road Team) another 2.5 seconds back in third.

After his win MacFarlane, who had won five open hill-climbs in the run-up to the National Championships, said: “Genuinely, I didn’t expect to win here. I thought I might get on the podium, so I’m over the moon to win. There have been lots of really strong riders this season who are going really well.

“Everybody comes from different areas of the country, and there are lots who you don’t race against until the Nationals, so it’s great to make it a real occasion, and you just never know what can happen.

“The crowds were amazing, lining the course the whole way up. It was a wall of people at the top and I was just in the moment. I could see objects rather than people as I was just in the red, trying to find the line.

“Conditions were OK, but there was a headwind which doesn’t suit me as I’m not the lightest rider so it was hard going.”

And 25-year-old Cardiff-based Illi Gardner said: “I didn’t feel confident at all after finishing, so I’m very happy to have won,” said Gardner. “I definitely got a bit carried away at the start which made the second half really difficult! The crowds were awesome though, I’m really pleased to win.

“I’m far more comfortable on longer climbs so this year I was really nervous and unsure how it would go - especially after having a bad day at Winnats a few years ago which is a similar length. It’s quite easy to mess up the pacing of shorter climbs!

“Thankfully conditions were dry although it was a bit chilly with a cross headwind. The crowds were incredible in the last few hundred metres – I couldn’t actually see the road or finish line at all. It was definitely a bit overwhelming and I slowed down a little (well that’s my excuse for not having a super strong finish!) but it was a very cool thing to experience.”

In other categories Maia Howell and Harry Hudson were crowned the national junior hill-climb champions after powering their way up the Dipton Mill Road climb.

16-year-old Howell (Matlock CC) clocked 4-41 to take victory by 21 seconds from Rianna Mahoney (4T+ Cyclopark) who covered the climb in 5-02, with third being 14-year-old Olivia Smallshaw (Secret Training CC) in 5-04.

And in the junior boys’ event 17-year-old Harry Hudson (Harrogate Nova CC) set a time of 3-12 to win by 24 seconds from 16-year-old Clancy Briggs Cycling Academy rider Harley Widdowson. Third was 14-year-old Clifton CC York rider Ezra Bateman who was just four seconds behind Widdowson.

If he had been competing in the open event junior winner Hudson’s time would’ve given him third place, making him a real ‘one to watch’ for next season.

The open team prize went to Team Lifting Gear Products with Nick Latimer, Andy Nichols and Kieran Wynne-Cattanach, while the women’s team prize went to FTP Fulfil the Potential Race Team with Rachel Galler, Jennifer Hudson and Becky Hair.

* All reports are copyright of Cycling Time Trials/Snowdon Sports. Not to be used without permission.

* Photos by Andy Smith Photography.