Paramount CRT 10

Medals were sealed in Round 8 of The Coaching Revolutions 2-Up Series as the major players went head-to-head at Westbury in the Paramount CRT 10. With all still to play for the Hafren CC pairing of Bryn Davies and Pete Thomas gained a vital two point advantage over the team they have had a terrific season-long battle with, Matt Gibbons and Scott Harris. Neither of these teams have had things all their own way thanks to a strong level of competition, but Davies and Thomas made it 4-2 on aggregate with a fine effort of 21 minutes 15 seconds on a far from perfect evening, with riders faced with a light headwind for the first six miles.

Davies was particularly pleased with his effort with the major test of the Shropshire Championship 100 still in his legs. He commented: “I was pleased with the result, my first race after the 100. We worked well together again, thanks to Paramount and all involved for a great night’s racing“. Thomas meanwhile reflected on the closeness of the competition and the well-matched abilities of this pair, adding: “We were singing from the same hymn sheet. It looks like it’s going to the wire“!

The Nova Raiders’ pair had to be content with a fine runners-up spot just 14 seconds off the pace, with their closest challenge coming from the promoting club’s Sean Evans and Steve Griffiths who took third spot with 22:55. Both felt they had done as much as they could but were magnanimous in their praise of Davies and Thomas, with Gibbons stating: “It worked really well with Scott, but I’m disappointed it wasn’t enough. Well done to the Hafren boys on a good performance“. Harris added: “We rode well, and both felt good but not good enough to take the win. A great ride from the Hafren boys, thanks to Paramount marshals and timekeepers“. Harris and Gibbons hauled themselves up to equal second in the Overall Championship on the strength of this ride, now tying with another Hafren CC pair Neil Vose and Mark Hill who finished 4th on the night in 23:02.

Meanwhile another Nova pairing were celebrating taking the Women’s’ Championship with a lap of honour as Jenny Newton and Jane Chapman showed the dominant form they are in with a maximum 100 points in this best 5/10 competition. The pair stormed around the course in 25:24, and are definitely getting used to each other’s strengths, with Newton commenting: “We worked really well together and both pushed really hard despite slower than last time on same course. Thanks to organisers“. Chapman agreed, adding: “Good team work. Though we struggled a little on the last hill I’m still pleased with the time“. Paramount’s Hil Pontefract and Wrekinsport’s Liz White sealed Women’s’ Silver behind Newton and Chapman with just a maximum 40 points remaining meaning they can no longer be caught.

In the Mixed Team Championship a new pairing had a good ride whilst a further Nova Raiders’ team took Gold despite injury preventing them competing. Craig Howells and Rachel Storey were delighted to win Gold, though explained his absence: “It was a shame I had to miss the event due to injury but I’m back for the final one. Taking Gold is great news, I’ve had a lot of fun this season. Rachel and I have grown as a team“. Storey was also pleased when told, adding: “That’s great news, it has been fun – and very nice to win“!

In their absence a new pairing tried their hand at the discipline, with Louise Woodvine getting her first taste of the format – and loving it. Woodvine and partner Stuart Proctor posted a respectable 26:04, with Woodvine commenting: “My first 2-Up and I really enjoyed it, perfect weather. Stuart really pushed me on“. Woodvine is Proctor’s third partner in this format, and he was pleased with his team’s efforts, adding: “It was great to be out with Louise for her first ever 2-Up. I was really pleased we got a short 26, much better than we were aiming for! Thanks to the Paramount guys for the organisation. A fabulous, warm evening, definitely more to come next season“!

Result:

Women’s Team:

Mixed Team:

Cumulative Standings after eight rounds

Overall

Women’s Team

Mixed Team