Mid Shropshire Wheelers 10

The first medals of The Coaching Revolutions 2-Up Series were captured in Round 6 as riders enjoyed a favourable south-westerly wind that assured fast times at Westbury in the Mid Shropshire Wheelers’ 10 as the reigning champions extended their lead. Bryn Davies and Pete Thomas dipped under the 21 minute mark for the first time in a dominant performance that saw them take the win by 1 minute 32 seconds with a Hafren CC 1-2. Davies and Thomas stretched their Series lead to 18 points with a fabulous effort of 20 minutes 55 seconds with Hafren occupying the top three places in this Series showing how competitive they are in this discipline.

Davies and Thomas pushed out team mates Neil Vose and Mark Hill, who still put in a fine effort of 22:27 to tightened the screw on the Silver medal position. A delighted Davies commented: “We worked well together. It was a quick night and a minute up on last year’s time. I was pleased to get under 21 minutes for the first time, thanks to Mid Shropshire Wheelers and all involved for a great night’s racing“. Thomas added: “It went really well, a tail wind on the out leg made for a fast evening all round“.

Davies and Thomas look odds on to retain the 2-Up Series trophies, but the destinations of the Women’s’ trophies was decided on the night with Nova Raiders’ Jenny Newton and Jane Chapman successfully defending their Championship with a fine effort of 25:01. Newton and Chapman have thrown themselves into this Series, defending in all six rounds and improving as the Series has progressed. They set another Personal Best despite suffering on the final sharp climb of Shoot Hill, with Newton stating: “We had a super start due to nature of course. We were both comically done in by the last leg! Chuffed with a Personal Best and Gold“. Chapman added: “I was very happy with our ride, we were flying until the last hill! Very pleased to win Gold“.

The struggle to make it up the final hill wasn’t the only comedy on show on the evening with Mid Shropshire Wheelers’ Andy Collins forgetting one cycling shoe. With no time to get back Collins rode with one trainer, and yet somehow with partner Lucy Hart managed to take the win in the Mixed Pairs Series despite the disadvantage. Collins and Hart crossed the line in a creditable 25:15, with Collins rueful of his misfortune. He commented: “An enjoyable evening in a strange way – I shall do another with two cycling shoes see if we can go a bit faster“!

Collins and Hart’s ride was all the more remarkable as they beat the Mixed Team Series leaders Craig Howells and Rachel Storey, with the Nova Raiders pairing ending the evening on 26:39. The pair however opened up their Series lead to a massive 54 points, and are another pair looking odds on for taking the Mixed Pair Trophies, though on this occasion for the first time.

Result:

Mixed Team:

Women’s Team:

Cumulative Standings after six rounds

Overall

Mixed Team

Women’s Team

• Round 7 of the Coaching Revolutions 2-Up Series takes place at 7pm on 18th July when Ludlow CC promote their 10 mile event on the fast Brimfield – Ludlow by-pass course.