Le Tissier's good form continues with hill climb win

STUART LE TISSIER underlined his recent good form by winning the Velo Club's Hill Climb over both the north and south ascents of Petit Bot. After the first climb, Le Tissier established a lead of five seconds over Rob Smart and a further seven seconds over rival Tony Bleasdale. An impressive ride by James McLaughlan saw him occupying fourth spot after the first climb, with Matt Osborn in fifth.

Smart was quickest over the second slightly longer climb. However, he managed to take only two seconds out of the lead of Le Tissier and remained in second place. Bleasdale was two seconds down on Le Tissier on the second run and finished third overall.

The top five places, after the first run, remained the same after the second and Le Tissier took the victory.

His combined time of 5min. 15sec. was agonisingly close - within a second - of Steve Hewitt's 2001 record, such was the quality of his ride.

Graham Le Maitre was the best of the rest and fastest veteran on the day, with Nathan Baudains and Tim Holmes just a few seconds back in seventh and eighth places respectively.

Ann Bowditch was the fastest woman in ninth place despite suffering mechanical difficulty moments before the start. Josh Owen completed the top 10.