Bell smashes 55-yearold record in Hill-Climb Championship win

Jones defends women’s crown in tight race, reports Snowdon Sports

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They have been neck and neck throughout the season, but on Sunday it was Tom Bell who powered to victory over reigning national hill-climb champion Andrew Feather at the 2021 championship on Winnats Pass, torching a 55-year-old record in the process.

Feather and Bell had faced off five times in the lead up to the event, with Feather (HuntBikeWheels.com) winning three times and Bell (High North Performance) twice.

But Bell’s 3:01.6 minute ride was too good for Feather on the iconic 985-yard Winnats Pass climb, with both riders breaking the 55-year-old course record set by Pete Greenhalgh in 1966. Third spot went to Andy Nichols (Lifting Gear Products).

Torrential rain greeted riders of the event, promoted by Rutland CC and myHillCycling. co.uk with help from other North Midlands district clubs.

A tailwind and closed road made up for the cold and damp, with riders who had managed to stay dry, warm and minimise tyre slippage reaping the rewards.