Dan Evans (Assos UK Race Team) took his first open hill climb win of the season in the Rhos-On-Sea CC hill climb on Nebo Road, while Tammy Lewis-Jones (Clwb Beicio Egni Eryri) stormed to victory in the women’s event.

Veteran rider Evans, aged 43, won the National Hill Climb Championship in 2017 and will compete again the blue-ribbon event next month.

On this occasion the Assos UK Race Team posted a winning time of 12-19 over the three-mile course which was 40 seconds quicker than his nearest opponent.

The hill climb from Llanrwst up towards Nebo on the B5427 has a height gain of 270 metres with an average gradient of about 5%, and a couple of short sections at 10% or more.

Conditions were reportedly good, the weather was dry and none of the forecasted storm winds were apparent.

Though course records were not broken, there were personal bests, especially for the juniors.

Evans finished fifth in the Buxton CC/ Sett Valley Cycles event on Bunsall Cob earlier this month and was on top form on this occasion to take victory.

A close battle for the remaining podium positions saw Rob Samuel (Clwb Beicio Egni Eryri) finish in 13-01, which was a single second quicker than Chris Mann (Velotik Racing Team) in 13-02.

Meanwhile, Charlie Williams (Hereford and District Wheelers CC) was the quickest junior stopping the clock in 15-14.

“It was a fantastic event put on by Rhos CC and supported by WE Cycle a local bike shop,” said Evans.

“Nebo hill is a bit of a monster with 290 metres of vertical ascent in just over three miles and today we had a light headwind and cold conditions to contend with.

“Personally, I had a solid enough ride, decent power for a 12-minute effort and felt relatively good.

“I’m super happy to get my first win of the season and looking forward to Nationals now. It would be great to see more riders doing this event next year.”

Veteran rider Lewis-Jones was competing in her first open hill climb event and stormed to victory in a time of 16-31.

The Clwb Beicio Egni Eryri rider is also entered into the Welsh CA Championship hill climb next weekend and will be tough to beat.

A close battle for second saw Karen Brooks (Born to Bike-Bridgtown Cycles) finish second in 20-12 and Caroline Smethurst (Rhos on Sea CC) finished third (20-37).

Lois Parry (Anglesey Cycling Group) was the quickest junior girl covering the climb in a time of 18-36.

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

Results
1 Dan Evans (Assos UK Race Team)      12.19
2 Rob Samuel (Clwb Beicio Egni Eryri) 13.01
3 Chris Mann (Velotik Racing Team)      13.02
4 Mitch Russell (Clwb Beicio Egni Eryri)               13.26
5 Mike Morris (The Black Cat Cycling Club)        13.37
6 Guy Butterworth (Velotik Racing Team )           13.55

Junior: Charlie Williams (Hereford and District Wheelers CC)  15.14

Women
1 Tammy Lewis-Jones (Clwb Beicio Egni Eryri) 16.31
2 Karen Brooks (Born to Bike-Bridgtown Cycles)             20.12
3 Caroline Smethurst (Rhos on Sea CC)              20.37
4 Sally Cunliffe (Velotik Racing Team)  21.38
5 Margaret Docking (Ruthin Cycling Club)          23.36
6 Marianne Mole (Rhos on Sea CC)        24.54

Junior: Lois Parry (Anglesey Cycling Group)       18.36