Ovenden wins again - but record remains

Caesarean Cycling Club's Robin Ovenden added the Jersey Cycling Association Hill Climb Championship to his three JCA time trial titles for 2009 - but was unable to threaten the hill climb record of two minutes, set by Tony Cornic in 1980.

With the Bouley Bay road surface still wet in parts and some of the corners very slippery   - making it difficult for riders to power around them without losing traction - conditions were not ideal for an attempt on the record. Ovenden, however, managed to win the event comfortably in a time of 2 minutes and 11 seconds, seven seconds ahead of CCC clubmate Adam Wojtkiewicz and VSJ's Nick Le Cocq, who tied to share silver medal position in 2:18.

The hill climb is always an event where the juniors can compete with the seniors and 2009 proved no exception with Steven Haley producing a fine ride of 2:24 to finish fourth overall. Haley took the Junior JCA Hill Climb title, as well as a few senior and vet scalps in the process. VSJ juniors Sam Carney and George Milner also scooped the silver and bronze spots with good times of 2:34 and 2:51 respectively.

Ride of the day was undoubtedly that of Caesarean John Derrien who produced a storming ride to tie with Mike Harris to take the veteran's title in a time of 2:37. This is Derrien's first medal placing in a JCA event for some years and was accomplished with some style, with a finely paced ride and strong finish. It was a clean sweep for CCC in the vets class, with Kevin Pilley finishing a second behind clubmates Derrien and Harris, in 2:38, to take bronze.

VSJ's Jo Le Cocq was first lady up the climb, just outside three minutes, in a time of 3:03. CCC's Carol Knight took silver in 3:14, from VSJ's Susan Williams, who was third in 3:18.

The Jersey Cycling Association's Hill Climb Championship is the last racing event of the 2009 calendar. Instead of trying to defy gravity going up hills, Caesarean Cycling Club members will turn their attention next week to the club's traditional downhill event at La Saline, where riders will use gravity to see who can roll the furthest.