Coaching Revolutions 2-Up Series: R2 Hafren CC

Hafren CC 2-Up 10

Two youngsters teamed up for the first time and gave an audacious warning to their older compatriots as Mid Shropshire Wheelers’ James Satoor and Hafren CC’s Sam Holwill took a shock win in Round 2 of the Coaching Revolutions 2-Up Series. Held on Hafren CC’s fast Berriew – Welshpool 10 mile course, Satoor and Holwill blazed around the ‘out and back’ course in 21 minutes 34 seconds, making the most of the shelter provided by each other to cope with the headwind that made the return leg a tough prospect.

For Holwill it was an unexpected victory on his home course and after a long layoff riding his time trial machine. He commented: “I didn’t expect to win as first time riding my time trial bike since September. The headwind back made it interesting, but we worked well together and it is a good sign for the rest of the season“. Satoor added: “I was really pleased with the time, it was quick on the way out with a tailwind I think we did it in just over ten minutes – and then it was really tough on the way back with a headwind, but Sam and I were really pleased with the time for our first ever 2-Up! Thanks to the organisers for putting on a great event, and I look forward to riding the rest of the Series“.

With lots of former medal winners in competition the increased strength of competition in 2019 was laid out bare with a Ludlow Brewery RT pairing taking the runner-up spot on the night after last racing together in 2017. Jack Wilson and Steve Minton set an excellent time of 21:51 to push out 2017 Champions Bryn Davies and Pete Thomas, another reunited pair – though their ride wasn’t without incident as Wilson explained: “The race went well, it was fast up to the turn – then got caught up behind a couple of tractors at the second roundabout and Steve had to put in a big effort to catch me back up, which made remainder of the time trial tough. A nice fast course, well done to the winners – nice time“. Minton agreed that the unfortunate confluence with the tractors had had a bearing on their performance, and accounted for some of their 17 second shortfall to Satoor and Holwill: “It went well down to turn with Jack, but when we got split by a tractor at the roundabout on the return I had to play catch up and it put me in all sorts of bother“!

After a season concentrating on riding solo events for Davies and racing with another partner for Thomas, the reunited pair were satisfied with their first entry to the 2019 Series as they pushed out the 2018 Bronze and Silver medallists by 9 and 14 seconds respectively in a close-run contest. Davies was aware of that keen level of competition but was satisfied with the team’s efforts after shaking off the ring rust. He also had particular praise for the winners, stating: “Not bad for our first ride together in over a year, but shown a clean pair of heels by the young guns, well done to them! A close call between us old ones for the remaining slots. Great to be back riding again with Pete, hopefully we can improve with a few more rides together. Big thanks to Des and the marshals for putting it on“. Thomas added: “Our first time back together after missing last year, it went OK considering I’ve not had the best winter – better things to come hopefully“.

A strong ride for fourth by Andy’s Maxwell and Rose saw them surprise team mates Ed Middleton and Nick Long by 5 seconds and head to the top of the Overall Standings thanks to their 22:06 effort.

Thomas’ 2018 2-Up partner Mark Hill is trying a new partnership with Emma Serjeant for 2019 as the pair make an assault on the Mixed Team Championship. They put in an excellent time of 22:40 to capture 6th spot overall from the 17 pairs in competition and make it two wins out of two to top the table with a maximum 40 points. Serjeant revealed that they had taken advantage of a practice run to hone their rotation skills and was thrilled with their efforts: “I’m delighted with our time. Our practise has paid off and we made the most of the weather which was much better than in Round 1. A big thank you to Mark for ripping my legs off but ensuring we took the win. Thank you to Des and the marshals too“.

Hill meanwhile was pleased for his partner and that their practice run had come good: “Emma was a happy lady! She led off and set the pace, then we swapped and headed to the Welshpool island turn. We came back into a slight headwind and rotated nicely, passing a Paramount crew and crossed the line together to end a good event. Thanks to Hafren CC for a great course“.

The Women’s Silver medallists from 2018 moved into the joint lead of the Women’s Championship with a personal best equalling 24:10, with Alison Dockney and Sarah Grant showing they are in form. The Market Drayton-based pair enjoyed their evening out, with Dockney commenting: “I think we were lucky to have avoided a downpour, but it was a good evening for racing and I really like the Hafren course.  We worked well together, I enjoyed having my legs ripped off by Sarah again and we equalled our best time from last year so it’s a good start“. Grant added: “What an exciting start to our season – we are so pleased to get the win! I’m looking forward to another fun and social 2-up season with my awesome partner in crime. Thanks to Hafren for putting on a great event“!

Result:

Mixed Team

Women’s Team

Cumulative Standings after two rounds

Overall

Mixed Team

Women’s Team

• Round 3 of the Coaching Revolutions 2-Up Series takes place at 7pm on 31st May when Oswestry Paragon CC promote their 10 mile event on the Queen’s Head – Gobowen course.