Always a great man to give it absolutely everything in a race, this is a shot that really sums up Ronan McLaughlin when a big result is up for grabs; head down and - as the homepage photo shows - eyeballs out (Pics by Foyle Cycling Club)

Ronan McLaughlin wins Ulster Hill Climb Champs

Having taken some high-value results this year, Ronan McLaughlin added another tidy victory to the list yesterday at the Ulster Hill Climb Championships.

Not only did he win gold the Gollan climb just outside Fahan in Co Donegal; he did it by seeing off some real quality.

Chris McGlinchey (Chainreaction Cycles) was runner-up on the day. And Darnell Moore, one of the men of the season on the domestic front, took bronze for  Caldwell Cycles.

The National Hill Climb Championships was due to take place in the Scalp climb in Donegal today, Sunday, and the Ulster podium was one befitting a nationals given the names involved.

McLaughlin has already won the Shay Elliott classic this year and also claimed a fine win on an epic stage of the Tour of Ulster.

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McGlinchey took elite silver and McGlynn junior gold.

At just 900 metres, with an average gradient of 14 per cent, McLaughlin posted a time of 2:51. That was four seconds quicker than McGlinchey, with national champion Moore a further two seconds back.

Isabelle Oakes of Smugglers CC took the women's crown from Apollo's Amanda Corley.

In the junior race, Michael McGlynn took the title having showing his climbing talents several times already  this season.

Just as McLaughlin had one in the elite men’s race, McGlynn saw off some serious competition to win for Omagh Wheelers.

International rider PJ Doogan of Caldwell Cycles was 2nd at just one second. And Kevin McCambridge of Melo Velo, who has also ridden very well this year, was 3rd at 10 seconds.

Jason Henry won the Masters 40 title in a time of 3:31. John Madden took the Masters 50 crown in 3:45. Kenny Boylan clocked a time of 4:20 to win the Masters 60 title.

Sat, Sept 29: Ulster Hill Climb Champs

Gollan Heights, Fahan, Co Donegal

Promoted by Foyle Cycling Club

Elite Men’s Podium

1. Ronan McLaughlin Viner-Pactimo-Caremark 2:51
2. Christopher McGlinchey Chainreaction 2:55
3. Darnell Moore Team Caldwell Cycles 2:57

Women’s Podium

1. Isobel Oates Smugglers CC 4:33
2. Amanda Corley Apollo CT 7:13

Junior Podium

1. Michael McGlynn Omagh Wheelers 3:06
2. PJ Doogan Team Caldwell 3:07
3. Kevin McCambridge Melo Velo Bike Cartel 3:16

Masters 40 Podium

1. Jason Henry Inspired Cycling 3:31
2. Damian Lagan Inishowen Wheelers 3:42
3. Ali Gribbon Carn Wheelers 3:50

Masters 50 Podium

1. John Madden Inspired Cycling 3:45
2. Fergal McGee Apollo Ct 4:19
3. Jim Doyle Foyle CC 4:41

Masters 60 Podium

1. Kenny Boylan Lakeland CC 4:20
2. Dominic Drum Bann Wheelers 5:00