IT was worth making the long journey up north for Worcester St John’s Cycling Club's Ollie Morgan who was eighth junior at the prestigious RTTC National Hill Climb Championships.

The Pershore High School sixth-form pupil finished top 10 in the junior section in four minutes 36 seconds to win the 18 years category.

More than 200 competitors converged on the event at Hedley on the Hill, Northumberland, on the 1.1-mile course.

Closed roads thronged with spectators created a fantastic atmosphere.

The timed effort was an average gradient of 7.5 per cent with the steepest sections reaching 20 per cent.

“It was a fantastic day and well worth the effort,” said Morgan who has been a member of Worcester St John’s for three years and enjoyed a successful summer of racing.

He is also supported by Pershore-based Echelon Cycles.

“It was particularly encouraging to have several club  members who drove all the way up to offer me support which I needed on the really tough section,” added Morgan.

“As a result of my win I have been invited to the Cycling Time Trials Champions award night which I am really chuffed about.”

The junior winner was George Kimber, of CS Dynamo in East Devon, while professional Dan Evans, of Assos-Equiupe UK, took the men's title and Joscelin Lowden, of Lewes Wanderers CC, the women's crown.