Rachel Galler recorded her third of the season at Muckle CC’s Hill Climb event on Friday night, with Andy Cunningham finishing as the fastest rider in the open category.

Riding for Saint Piran, Galler set 4-33 to pip Madeleine Bell to the women’s category title, the Musselburgh RCC rider having to settle for second with 4-36, while Sarah Wilkinson (Blaydon CC) sealed the last podium position with a time of 5-00.

After wins at Vector Racing Hill Climb and the Allen Valley Velo 24.8 mile event earlier in the season, Galler was looking for her third successive win, and managed to complete the feat in thrilling style, taking the victory by a margin of three seconds.

On her win, Galler said: “I'm happy to come away with the win and take the opportunity to recon the course for this year's National Championships. It was a punchy climb, which suited me quite well, and I look forward to racing it again soon. The new hill delivered by Muckle CC produced a great turnout and the support provided by them is always great.”

In the open category, Cunningham (Ilkley CC) topped the standings with 3-27, ahead of host club rider Marcus Cram who finished in second with 3-31, while David Fellows of Solihull CC was only two seconds behind in 3-33 to secure third place.

“I really enjoyed the event,” said Cunningham. “It felt like North East hill climbing royalty were out either watching or competing!

“It was obviously nice to record the quickest time on the night, although it felt slightly strange to be doing a hill climb at the start of August; I reckon everyone else will have felt the same.

“I think everyone from Muckle CC will make it a great National Championship, so I'm looking forward to that already.”

Steven Prince (Ludlow Brewery Race Team) was the first over-40 veteran to cross the line, clocking 3-51 for a sixth place finish overall, while Louise Burnie of Blaydon CC was the fastest female in the same category with 5-40.

Charlie Thew of Muckle CC was the fastest junior in the field, setting an impressive 4-07 at his home club, with Phoebe Langlands of Matlock CC claiming top prize in the youth category with a time of 5-33.

In the over-50 veterans category, Colin Atkinson of Muckle CC and Sarah Wilkinson were the male and female winners, with times of 3-56 and 5-00 respectively.

The over-60 veterans category prizes were taken home by Colin Blacklock of Muckle CC with 5-07 and Janet Le Luan of Carlisle Reivers CC with 6-09.

The mixed team prize was won by host club Muckle CC with riders Marcus Cram, Adrian Armstrong and Lois Jarvis sealing the victory.

This hill climb event, run on the MH1 course, starts by the entrance to Hackwood Glade, proceeding up Dipton Hill for 0.74 miles before finishing by Yarridge Road.

Results:

Open:

1. Andy Cunningham (Ilkley CC)      3.27

2. Marcus Cram (Muckle Cycle Club)           3.31

3. David Fellows (Solihull CC)          3.33

4. Nick Munro (Outlands)       3.34

5. Adrian Armstrong (Muckle Cycle Club)    3.39

6. Steven Prince (Ludlow Brewery Race Team)        3.51

Women:

1. Rachel Galler (Saint Piran) 4.33

2. Madeleine Bell (Musselburgh RCC)          4.36

3. Sarah Wilkinson (Blaydon CC)      5.00

4. Elspeth Chatto (Blaydon CC)         5.30

=5. Robyn Bennett (Northumbria Police CC)            5.40

=5. Louise Burnie (Blaydon CC)       5.40