Coaching Revolutions 2-Up Series R3: Oswestry Paragon 8.2

Reserve course D308/1 in use due to roadworks

Oswestry Paragon CC 2-Up 8.2

A course change due to road works gave a different perspective to Round 3 of the Coaching Revolutions 2-Up Series as young riders once again came to the fore. With many riders unfamiliar with Oswestry Paragon’s 8.2 mile Queen’s Head – Hordley reserve course Round 2 winner James Satoor put knowledge of where to put in the needed extra effort on the return leg – though this time with a different partner.

Satoor teamed up with Mid Shropshire Wheelers’ team mate Ben Pierce to show a clean pair of heels to 2018’s Silver medallists Nick Long and Ed Middleton, taking a fine win by a 26 second margin in 18 minutes 9 seconds. Satoor was delighted to take another victory, but knew the Rednal climb into the wind on the return leg was where to dig in hardest. Satoor commented: “We were really pleased with our time, and I was pleased to get another win in the 2-Up Series. Having ridden the time trial along that course last year I knew it was hard, made even harder by the wind! Thanks to all the marshals and the organisers for a good event“. Pierce added: “I was pleased with the result and enjoyed the course“.

Long and Middleton put in a much stronger ride than in Round 2, where they finished fifth, stopping the watch on 18:35, with Long enjoying his evening out – though his post-race comments were definitely tongue-in-cheek as he marvelled at the winning pair’s time: “It’s always fun racing the 2-Up Series, especially at Oswestry – great atmosphere and organisation. I really enjoyed the course, even if our game plan fell apart when we hit the lumps on the return leg! Mid Shropshire Wheelers need to encourage its Juniors to stay home and play ‘Fortnite’ rather than show us all up“!

Middleton also found his first experience of the course to be an interesting one – although his thoughts were with 2017 2-Up Champion Bryn Davies whose season has cruelly been cut short following a nasty car accident and who was due to continue a friendly competitive rivalry that evening: “It’s great to be back out racing with Nick. The reserve course made for an interesting ride (and a painful return) – a rapid ride from the Mid Shropshire Wheelers boys. Thanks to Oswestry for hosting, and get well soon Bryn“.

Youngsters again featured in the dead heat for third spot as two further Mid Shropshire Wheelers pairs couldn’t be split on 18:55. Richard Collins teamed up with son Matthew for the first time and was riding very much at the opposite end of the distance scale to his experience of six days earlier: “I had no issue with the course change, it’s one of those things, loose a little in distance, but a much better surface to ride on. Our race went OK, although I was slightly fatigued after racing ‘Ironman Lanzarote’ the Saturday before. I was super impressed with the Juniors result“. Meanwhile Jack Young paired with Jack Morris and was surprised at his high placing, stating: “I’m shocked I came third. I didn’t know what to expect on that course having never done the course before“.

There was an excellent turnout for the Mixed Team Championship with Hafren CC’s Emma Serjeant and Mark Hill making it three wins from three events as they extended their Series lead to 28 points – and took over at the top of the Overall standings for good measure. This pairing has hit pay dirt from the off, working well together to fly around the course in 19:31 for a victory of 2:02 over Oswestry Paragon’s Adam Riley and Vikki Jones. A theme of Serjeant and Hill’s success has been preparation, and here both found a practice run on a course both were unfamiliar with paid dividends, with Serjeant stating: “I was glad we arrived early to do a reconnoitre  of the change of course. The hill and wind made the return leg a challenge, but great teamwork with Mark secured a good time. I enjoyed it, I always enjoy a new challenge“. Hill was in full agreement: “A course change brought a full reconnoitre and I’m so glad we rode it first or the left turn in and right turn junction would have caught us out. Emma went first and we got into the undulating course. We went 50/50 on the front and found the return into the wind and the mid-return climb hard. A great event, well run and the marshals were great too. Thanks all and Emma“.

Two triathletes made an impression in the Women’s Series with Leonie Keeling and Larna Andrew just getting into time trialling and finding the 2-Up format to their liking. Having ridden together for the first time in Round 2 the pair crossed the line in 21:26, with Keeling full of enthusiasm for the experience: “We would like to thank Oswestry Paragon for a lovely evening and event. It was an extremely well organised event with fantastic friendly marshals. Myself and Larna are new to time trials, – especially 2-Ups as we have only ridden together. We have thoroughly enjoyed the first two races and hope to race as many of the Series as possible. We would like to encourage other ladies to give it a go – it really fantastic to work as a team in these events“.

Special mention must go to the oldest competitor in the 2-Up, 81 year old Pete Norman’s who was racing his 201st Oswestry Paragon Friday evening time trial having meticulously kept records of every one. His weekend wasn’t finished there either as he also undertook a Saturday park run, The Chirk Castle 10k run on Sunday, and polished it off on Monday with the Trefonen Hill run. With partner Kim he ended his evening on 26:05.

Result:

Mixed Team

Women’s Team

Cumulative Standings after three rounds

Overall

Mixed Team

Women’s Team

• Round 4 of the Coaching Revolutions 2-Up Series takes place on Saturday, 8th June at 3pm when Shropshire Cycling Clubs Association promote their 10 mile event on the Waters Upton – Hodnet course.