14 Riders contested this Sunday’s St Neots CC Hill Climb at Staughton Moor. Conditions for the race were fine and dry, but cold.

For many of the competitors, this would be their first attempt on the course, so in the absence of this year’s strongest Time Trialler, Richard Hancock, the obvious favourite for the day was defending champion Richard Ostler. With rumours of clandestine course recces, Wayne Tunnah, Jason Gadd and Steve Blows were also being named as serious contenders. Outsiders included Joe Finucane and Tom Stead. However would their lack of course knowledge count against them?

Adrian Taverna set the first sub five minute ride at 4.53, although that soon fell to Tom Stead sneaking under by one second. Steve Blows set the next new fastest time of 4.43 (enough to win last year and bizarrely to be equalled by two other riders!), only to see it fall to the next rider off, Richard Ostler, with the winning time of 4.36.

After the race we all headed over to Thurleigh Farm cafe for some much needed coffee and cakes.

Overall the riders put in some very creditable competitive times, with some big improvements from last year. Well done to all who competed. Next year promises to be even more hotly contested!

1 Richard Ostler 4.36
2 Steve Blows 4.43
3 Joe Finucane 4.43
4 Wayne Tunnah 4.43
5 Tom Stead 4.52
6 Adrian Taverna 4.53
7 David Smith 5.01
8 Jason Gadd 5.02
9 David Lindsay 5.04
10 Adrian Lancaster 5.08
11 Neil Wood 5.18
12 Ashley Cooper 5.19
13 Chris Preston 5.24
14 John Keefe 6.15