Wellington Wheelers Hill Climb completed by 50 riders

Competitors climbed 3.6km up the challenging Buckland Hill, near Wellington, with gradients up to 15 per cent, finishing on the Blackdown Hills.

The event is run by Wellington Wheelers cycling club by volunteers under the guidance of race director Charles Biscoe and club chairman Andy Quinlan.

The top three overall broke the coveted 10-minute mark, a fantastic achievement in unfavourable slippery conditions.

Junior rider George Watch, aged 17, won for the second year running in an excellent time of 9minutes 19seconds, in front of fellow junior and triathlete Tom Webb, 15.

Third place went to senior male Lloyd Copp, 30 in a very good time of 9mins 40secs.

There were excellent performances throughout the field with the veteran category first place going to Ben Turner, 48, of Turners Cycles, who donated prizes for the event. He completed the course in a fast 10mins 13secs.

First female home was Vikki Voysey, 33, from Wellington, in 11mins 44secs, adding to her recent series of excellent results.

The annual race has attracted riders from near and far since 2012, as a key event in the hill climb calendar.