Campaign begins well for Bradford’s Simpson

The 23-year-old rider with Hope Factory Racing battled with rival Abby-Mae Parkinson (RST Racing) for much of the race before managing to edge herself away in the closing stages at a muddy and wet Abergavenny Leisure Centre.

Simpson finished ninth when competing in the same event last season, while she finished fifth overall in last year’s National Trophy Series.

Veteran Isla Rowntree took victory in the women’s race ahead of Simpson, while in the elite men’s race Simpson’s team-mate Paul Oldham (Hope Factory Racing) ensured that he took the win ahead of Oli Beckinsale (Endura MTB).

Yorkshire hills continued to prove a great training ground for hill-climbers, with many of the country’s top ascenders riding local events ias they get prepared to take part in the prestigious National Championships that are to be held in County Durham in a fortnight.

Lancashire’s Richard Handley (Rapha Condor) won the Holme Valley Wheelers event which was moved due to heavy mist on the course.

Using the 1.3-mile Woodhouse Lane course, he covered the climb in 2-04.9, winning comfortably by almost eight seconds from Oxford rival Tejvan Pettinger (Sri Chinmoy CT).

But Pettinger took victory in the Huddersfield Star Wheelers event on the 0.9-mile Jackson Bridge climb.

He clocked 4-18.7 to win by 16 seconds from former national champion Matt Clinton (Mike Vaughan Cycles).