R7 Mower Mec 2-Up Series: Bridgnorth CC 10

A first time pairing produced immediate dividends for Tomos Hales and Dean Callister; as the destination of the medals and trophies were settled in the finale of The Mower Mec 2-Up Series – with Overall and Mixed Team Gold medals going to the same pair. Incredibly no medals had been resolved before Round 7, Bridgnorth CC’s deceptively tough Bonningale – Shifnal 10; with Hayley Wells and Chris Riley taking double bubble in a season that has seen them going from strength to strength. Largely a sapping uphill to the turn on the edge of Shifnal, riders were assured a fast return thanks to the prevailing wind and some fast downhill sections.

Hales and Callister were most rapid of them all, blazing around the ‘out and back’ course in 20 minutes 45 seconds in a pairing that has been on the cards all season but finally came to fruition. The challenge presented by the course saw a strategy designed for tackling it, which seems to have worked spectacularly, as Hales explained: “I’ve wanted to do a 2-Up with Dean for a while, believing we would complement each other well. On the lumpy Bridgnorth course I tackled the hills and Dean did the flat and down hills. We worked well for the first half, then I struggled on the way back as Dean ramped up the pace. To go sub-21 on that course is good and was a great experience to go that fast – Thanks to Tim Beardmore and Bridgnorth CC for hosting, and Dean for dragging me around”. Callister added: “I’m long over due a 2-Up hit out with Tomo. We worked well together, with a very strong outward leg and we gave it what we could on the return. I’m very pleased with the time on that course, thanks to Bridgnorth CC for putting it on”.

Going into the event at the top of the standings in both competitions, Wells and Riley extended their lead Overall and made it a maximum possible 100 point tally in the Mixed Team standings with a fine time of 23:20, just four seconds behind runners-up Phil Roberts and Ben Southgate. Riley is a previous winner of the Overall Championship, but this was another feather in the cap altogether as the pairing became the first ever Mixed pair to win this Championship. Understandably delighted, Riley explained both how the race went and the happenstance that saw the pair link up: “Riding the deceptively hard Bonningale course for only the third time, and my fastest yet with Hayley was a brilliant end to the Mower Mec Series. We rode well together, and the return leg was a lot of high speed fun. It was only by chance Hayley and I teamed up in Round 2, it’s turned out to be a golden pairing and an honour to have won the Series – thanks to all the promoting clubs, Mower Mec, and to the regulars who have made this a thoroughly enjoyable experience”.   

Wells was very aware of the challenge ahead having raced the course before, and has pushed herself hard the whole Series. One of the great things about the format apart from the sheer fun is the ability to observe a partner and learn to become a better rider from the experience – which by Wells’ own admission has helped her solo racing: “Having done this course before I knew it was going to require some grit to push on up the hills. Chris and I worked well together to get the most from this course. A very close battle with Ben and Phil for second spot, and well done to Tomos and Dean for the rapid win! It was only by chance Chris and I paired up at one of the first 2-Up’s. It’s been an awesome experience incorporating paired racing into the calendar, and I’ve learnt a lot from Chris over the five races we have done, and gone a lot faster over 10 miles than I’d ever imagined this year! I’m delighted to have taken the Series win; and a huge thanks to everyone involved to allow the Series to happen”.

Roberts and Southgate had a target in mind, and that was an eye on taking Silver. Entering the race in 4^th place in the standings they overhauled the pairings of Sorrell Williams and Karl Lombardi, and Jan Davies and Mark Hill to realise their ambition with a fine 23:16. Roberts commented: “Another good ride with Ben on a challenging course. Having not ridden it before it’s undoubtedly one of the more difficult time trial courses to pace and get right. We didn’t quite execute the ride as well as we had hoped compared to the last few races, but we just did enough to hold on to second place. Well done to Tomos and Dean for the win, an incredible time! Really pleased to take second place in the Series with Ben, the Ludlow race was the highlight where we went under 21 minutes. It’s a shame we couldn’t make five races to get the whole points tally in and give ourselves an opportunity for Gold, but we gave everything in the four races we made. Nonetheless, we had fantastic battles with Hayley and Chris each week with very similar times. It’s really enjoyable to have some very close friendly competition, huge congratulations to them on taking the Series! Thanks for organising and putting the Series on, and to all the clubs and volunteers for hosting”. Southgate added: “I was very happy to hear we got Silver as we only did four races, I had lots of fun racing with my race partner Phil”.

Tied on points in both Overall and Mixed Team competitions in a great season for Mixed pairs Williams and Lombardi, and Davies and Hill had to be split on SCCA count back rules, with Williams and Lombardi taking Overall Bronze and Mixed Team Silver, whilst Davies and Hill had to settle for Mixed Team Bronze. Williams surprised herself; with the pair managing to race 6 of the 7 rounds. Her comments echoing Wells’ that the encouragement of a partner can spur a rider on to heights they didn’t think possible: “I have thoroughly enjoyed racing with Karl throughout this season. We only started riding together about a year ago and really started to make things work for us in the last couple of events.  I’m very surprised and pleased to be able to come away with some medals, a massive thanks to all the clubs for putting the races on, as well as Karl for the encouragement to race hard and the motivation to keep the training up.  An excellent Series, well done to all other teams and I look forward to returning next year”.

Lombardi’s comments show that encouragement works both ways, with focus on the goal a large part: “I only started getting into time trials somewhat seriously and 2-Up specifically this season, and was apprehensive – I didn’t expect much other than a good time. Sorrel has been amazing with keeping up the mental state, focus and motivation. The season started well for us, but we needed a reality check and had to rethink our strategy, which paid off in the last two races for a nail-biting second place Mixed Team Series result. I’m glad we had to work hard to earn it in the last two races, vociferously encouraging each other. Well done to all; and thanks to the clubs for making the Series a reality; and particularly to Sorrel for putting up with my tomfoolery. We are very much looking forward to doing it again next year”!

Hill and Davies were the reigning Mixed Team Champions, but the level of the competition this year particularly in this Championship has definitely stepped up a gear. Davies expressed satisfaction at taking a medal given the standard in 2024, stating: “This was my second season riding as Mark’s 2-Up partner, and I’m happy to come away with a Bronze. It’s been a challenging competition, and I want to thank Mark for his encouragement. Thank you to all the organisers and marshals who give up their free time enabling us all to ride”.

Full:

Mixed Team:

Final Series standings: Overall Bronze and Mixed Team Silver & Bronze Split on second countback rules

Overall:

Mixed Team:

Sadly no all female teams entered all season.