MINEHEAD Cycling Club welcomed some of the nation’s best cyclists to Porlock on Sunday to compete in the Double Header Hillclimbs.

Bathed in warm autumn sunshine, Exmoor and the Channel were looking the part as riders raced the clock to set the best time they could, firstly up the short and viciously steep Porlock A39 Main Road, and then the less steep but much longer Porlock Toll Road.

Winner on the Main Road was Sam Nisbett from Bath with an impressive 10 minutes 11 seconds.

Local riders also featured well on the Main Road; Ben Turner turned himself inside out to record 12 minutes 40 seconds to take 1st Veteran and 12th overall. Mark Brewer, more used to 24 hour MTB events, nevertheless sprinted up in 12.56 (13th). Lee Musto (19th 14.16) continued his rich vein of form, again edging great rival Geoff Ware (23rd 15.41).

Tim Rook is developing into an excellent all-rounder, jumping onto his road bike to take 28th place in 17.39. Janet Hewlett yet again showed her competitive nature to take 30th in 19.34.

After a break to move the marshals and timekeepers to their new posts on the Toll Road, the racing started again. Tactics came into play, do you do both events and risk tiring on the second one or do you target only one and give that everything?

Nathan Bale certainly favoured the latter strategy, opening the road at bib number 1 and taking an early lead with 27.37. Janet Hewlett eased past him with 26.24, Tim Rook (85th 24.03) and Geoff Ware (81st 23.15) both posted very decent times. Robert Myram (68th 21.38), a promising youngster, set out at a good pace and held it all the way. Lee Musto (59th 20.24), Mark Brewer (42nd 19.08) and Ben Turner (35th 18.34) all set impressive times, too.

Their problem was that, with the National Championships taking place on the Porlock Tollroad on October 25th, at least the top 30 finishers were competing to fine tune their form and recce the course.

Previous Porlock winners, and many time National Champions Ed Laverack (14.25) and Dan Evans (15.00) dominated, locking out the top of the leader board for the Assos UK Race Team.

This Double Header was also the final part of the Somerset 4 Hills Competition. Organised with Somerset Road Club and Bridgwater CC, this competition sees riders’ aggregate times taken over the Quantocks climbs of Cockercombe, Crowcombe Combe and the two Porlock climbs.

Janet Hewlett continued her sparking form to win the open female class; male winner was youngster Henry Mahon (39.59) from Yeovil who squeaked in by less than a second from Chard’s Daniel Eastment (40.09). Geoff Ware (52.16) was third.

Minehead Cycling Club would like to thank Porlock Manor Estate, Ware Construction, the Porlock Community (especially Porlock Ladies who fuelled us through the day), and all the loyal marshals, helpers and club members without whom the event would not happen.

Club Chairman, Stephen Crossman, said: “We have all had a great day; we are delighted to welcome so many riders and spectators to share the wonderful Exmoor cycling experience.

“The National Championships will be a day to remember; we look forward to showing off the area to an even wider audience!”