R3 SB Sports Injuries Series: SCCA Spring 10 No.2

A glorious early Spring day saw riders back on the more usual Waters Upton – Hodnet course after the completion of road works for Round 3 of the SB Sports Injuries Series, Shropshire Cycling Clubs Association Spring 10 No.2. Popular with locals and all comers alike, two visiting Team Bottrill riders took the first two places, with Mathew Roberts helping himself to the Overall win with a fine effort of 20 minutes 56 seconds in warm conditions and just the lightest of crosswinds to attend to. Roberts was opening his account for the season and was not expecting a win, but had more early season form than he reckoned, stating: “It was the first time trial of the year for myself and I entered with a laid back and stress free approach, not worrying about big numbers and therefore no high expectations. So it was a surprise to have taken the win! It also went to show that it’s true what Matt Bottrill my coach has told me many times: that speed wins races! So concentrating on the aero side of if rather than power paid off”.

Roberts’ victory was all the sweeter for coming against his brother Danny, 13 seconds back and also on his first competitive outing of the year. Despite the friendly rivalry in play he was happy to take runner-up spot, commenting: “It was good to get the first race of the season under the belt. We couldn’t have asked for better weather from the minute we left North Wales until we got back home! The only negative was the slight crosswind which made the race feel that little bit slow. But we can’t have it all. It wasn’t quite my day and never good to lose, but what can you say or do when it’s your team mate and training partner – well done Mat! Still, very happy to take second place overall, and I was also very happy with the numbers I produced on the day but the fastest man won”.

Taking the honours for the local riders was Wrekinsport CC’s Tomos Hales, who is having a superb start to his season. Hales took the maximum 20 points on offer to narrow the gap to Series leader Jonathan Mills-Keeling to 14 points, with Hales’ 21:24 pushing the Bridgnorth CC rider out by 22 seconds. Hales stated: “The SCCA 10 had some perfect weather for March. A slight crosswind and the warm weather made it a quick day. I was able to get into a much better rhythm than the previous week – thanks to Hafren CC and Oswestry Paragon for putting on the event”.

Mills-Keeling also leas the SB Veterans Series by the same 14 point margin, taking 3^rd Veterans spot in +5:00, a solitary second behind Danny Roberts. He had no answer for Deb Hutson-Lumb however, who took yet another double victory with +6:43 and an actual of 23:18 in the SB Women’s Series, beating Nova Raiders’ Marie Llewellyn into second with 25:47 and stretching her Women’s Series lead to 16 points. She also managed to post her fastest ever time on the course too in a great afternoon. She said: “Good weather conditions helped sneak a few seconds off my course PB despite my best efforts to puncture in a road works hole. A great day for it, and good to see some quick times so early in the season – thanks to Oswestry Paragon and Hafren CC, and everyone involved in running the event”.

In the SB Junior Series there was a fine win by North Shropshire Wheelers’ Harry Corney in 22:47 to raw level at the top of the standings with team mate Chester Romei. He commented: “I’m super happy with my time from the weekend. As my second 10 of the year it’s super promising and I’m looking forward to the season ahead – thanks to everyone involved for making the event run smoothly, and well done to everyone that competed”.

Full:

Veterans:

Women:

Juniors:

Cumulative Standings after three rounds

Overall

Veterans

Women’s

Juniors