Cyclotherapy Shropshire Championship 25
The first of a quick succession of Shropshire Championships kicked off with The Cyclotherapy Shropshire Championship 25 as 2018’s reigning 25 mile Champion agonisingly missed out on making it a brace by just nine seconds. Held on the fast Berriew – Four Crosses course, Round 10 of the Friction Hydraulics Series saw a fabulous level of competition, with Kirk Vickers capturing The Freeston Trophy and 25 Championship Gold with a tremendous effort of 52 minutes 23 seconds, averaging over 28.6mph.
Vickers knew he had to put in a major effort with reigning Champion Dan Watts on the start sheet and starting from scratch position 30 minutes after him, so it was an agonising wait for the result to finally be confirmed. Vickers stated: “A relief to take the win after Dan Watts putting in a fast ride. Difficult conditions on the night, thanks to marshals and well done to all competitors“.
Watts had given his all on a warm night and knew he was up against it with Vickers taking the line, but his post-race comments clearly showed he could have done nothing more as the realisation that he had won Silver with his 52:31 effort sunk in: “I was gutted to lose by eight seconds but probably didn’t have the nine seconds I needed to win. I was surprised to run Kirk so close in the end for the title so I’ll take the positives and move onto the next one. A great evening, and as always a great event“.
On an evening where half the field beat the magical hour mark and with Vickers and Watts slugging it out for the Championship it need a special ride to capture Bronze – and Revolutions Racing’s Sam Morris did just that after outputting more sustained power than he ever had before. Morris clocked 54:42, taking 25 Bronze by 51 seconds ahead of namesake Kieran as well as The Jack Pitchford Trophy awarded for fastest Under-21 from the same rider and clearly enjoyed his evening, commenting: “I was really happy with my ride, a good minute faster than last year and a healthy power PB. Even better to be on a podium with Kirk and Dan. Always one of my favourite events, thanks to everyone who helped make it happen“!
Whilst Morris was having a field day with his power output Deb Hutson-Lumb was definitely not – not that that stopped her taking home a brace of Gold medals as she won the Veteran’s 25 Championship by a solid margin – and the Women’s Championship by a single second with a PB. In the Veteran’s race Hutson-Lumb recorded a fabulous Standard of +13:00 to beat Nova Raiders’ team mate Dean Dovey into the Silver medal position by +2:10. She wasn’t finished there however with her 1:01:44 beating another team mate, Charlotte Chapman for a second to take The Brian and Gill Morrison Trophy off her. Hutson-Lumb commented: “I found it tough all the way round and struggled to maintain power. I was surprised to get a Course PB and take the Women’s win by the narrowest possible margin. Very pleased to win both Women’s and Veteran’s Championships. Another great SCCA event, and my thanks to everyone involved in making it happen“.
Chapman was philosophical about losing the Women’s Championship to her team mate by the narrowest possible margin – and critically she hinted that that missing second might have been due to not having her ‘racing head’ on: “It was one of those nights where if someone had said ‘Let’s just go to the pub instead’ I’d have been more than happy to drink beer dressed in lycra and not race! But I was glad I did it in the end and it’s exciting to have such close competition. It doesn’t hurt so much losing to a team mate. Thanks to all the marshals – they did a top notch job as always“.
Dovey meanwhile surprised himself after an electronic gearing disaster nearly cost him his race – but for the level head of team mate Steve Ford. Dovey not only took Veteran’s Silver with his +10:50 Standard, pushing Hafren CC’s Ian Nisbett into the Veteran’s 25 Bronze slot by 11 seconds, he also lead Nova Raiders to Team 25 Gold thanks to excellent team work from Dean Callister and Ed Middleton in a combined 2:53:14, 3:23 ahead of Hafren CC on their home course and making up ground in the Top Club Award in the process. A relieved Dovey explained: “Disaster – my Di2 failed before warm up: head gone, rattle out of pram, total drama. Then the ever calm Steve Ford said ‘Just ride single speed, it’ll be a good workout’. Bam, second Veteran and the Team prize. Awesome Raiders, I’m over the moon Jim“!
Callister and Middleton were both pleased to take Team Gold in vintage night for the club, with Callister commenting: “A nice warm evening but tricky in places on the outward leg with the wind. First time for me on the second half of the course, so I was very pleased for the Nova Raiders to take the Team Award, a great effort from all team members. Thanks to the timekeepers and marshals for a great evening of racing“. Middleton added: “My first ride back after an ‘off’ so I’m over the moon. A great night for the club. Thanks to all involved in putting on a great nights racing“!
Whilst Ian Nisbett led his Hafren CC team to retain the lead in the Top Club Award he did not enjoy his race despite taking Veteran’s 25 Bronze with a fine +10:39 after finishing just one second on Standard ahead of Victor Chetta. Nisbett revealed that he spent much of his race grovelling after hitting that metaphorical brick wall that affects most racing cyclists now and again: “I set out on target, all good – and then blew up after 15mins! I had to really grit my teeth and dig in for next 40 minutes, it was horrible. I also had to slow right down on three roundabouts due to traffic, so I was very surprised to get home with an OK time and still end up with the Veteran’s Bronze – just! Some great times posted at the sharp end – well done to all“.
Meanwhile Nova Raiders made it a clean sweep of medals in the Women’s Championship with Jenny Newton capturing Bronze in 1:08:23, 43 seconds ahead of Oswestry Paragon’s Helen Tudor. Like Nisbett, Newton was another rider who confessed to having a bit of a ‘mare, as she revealed: “I was totally off form from start to finish. I couldn’t get going mentally or physically, my time was way off my course best but Bronze – I’ll take that! Thanks to all for a really well organised event! Well done Raiders on the results board“.
In the Junior Championship there was some fierce competition, with Kieran Morris capturing Junior 25 Gold with a fantastic 55:33 PB effort, taking 4th spot Overall after finishing three seconds ahead of Chetta. Morris has admitted to struggling for form recently, but made no mistake to beat Hafren CC’s Sam Holwill into the Silver position by 2:10. Morris commented: “I’m actually starting to feel better on the bike again as it went better than expected. My legs were shattered from racing early in the week, plus the stops at the dreaded islands! Yet my time was a big course PB. I found it tough both ways. Well done to everyone, some fast times on a far from ideal night. The marshals were superb, thank you to all involved“.
Holwill posted a fine 57:43 to take Silver and 8th spot Overall, and was another rider suffering in the windy conditions, stating: “Conditions are getting tougher for the 25’s I’ve done this year and so my times are getting slower! I was pleased to get second Junior, and only 20 seconds off my PB“. 1:04 back Henri Bedford took Bronze with another Course PB for the fast-improving 15 year-old despite the warm weather taking it’s toll. He commented: “A good course, a PB from last year although I’m struggling a little with the effects of hay fever at the moment which didn’t make it easy. Well done to all riders, and thank you to the marshals and helpers“.
Result
Friction and Hydraulic Services Shropshire Championship Points Series – Round 10
| Pos’n | Name | Club | Cat | Time | Points |
| 1 | Kirk Vickers | Holohan Coaching RT | S | 00:52:23 | 60 |
| 2 | Dan Watts | SCCA Private Member | S | 00:52:31 | 55 |
| 3 | Sam Morris | Revolutions Racing | S | 00:54:42 | 50 |
| 4 | Kieran Morris | SCCA Private Member | J | 00:55:33 | 45 |
| 5 | Victor Chetta | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | V | 00:55:36 | 40 |
| 6 | Ian Nisbett | Hafren CC | V | 00:56:37 | 35 |
| 7 | Dean Callister | Nova Raiders | S | 00:56:44 | 30 |
| 8 | Samuel Holwill | Hafren CC | J | 00:57:43 | 25 |
| 9 | Dean Dovey | Nova Raiders | V | 00:58:01 | 20 |
| 10 | Alex Leek | SCCA Private Member | S | 00:58:08 | 15 |
| 11 | Tom Richardson | Oswestry Paragon CC | S | 00:58:15 | 10 |
| 12 | Ed Middleton | Nova Raiders | V | 00:58:29 | 5 |
| 13 | Henri Bedford | Revolutions Racing | J | 00:58:47 | 5 |
| 14 | William Baugh | Ludlow CC | V | 00:59:20 | 5 |
| 15 | Steven Ford | Nova Raiders | V | 00:59:34 | 5 |
| 16 | Dean Barnett | Oswestry Paragon CC | V | 00:59:55 | 5 |
| 17 | Gary Duncan | Oswestry Paragon CC | V | 01:00:26 | 5 |
| 18 | Ian Pollard | SCCA Private Member | V | 01:01:38 | 5 |
| 19 | Deb Hutson-Lumb | Nova Raiders | WV | 01:01:44 | 5 |
| 20 | Charlotte Chapman | Nova Raiders | W | 01:01:45 | 5 |
| 21 | Jason Arnold | Hafren CC | V | 01:02:17 | 5 |
| 22 | Neil Coles | Oswestry Paragon CC | V | 01:02:51 | 5 |
| 23 | Simon Evans | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | V | 01:03:57 | 5 |
| 24 | Andy Hazell | Nova Raiders CC | V | 01:05:11 | 5 |
| 25 | Mark Griffiths | Wrekinsport CC | V | 01:05:43 | 5 |
| 26 | John Westhead | Paramount CRT | V | 01:08:04 | 5 |
| 27 | Jenny Newton | Nova Raiders | WV | 01:08:23 | 5 |
| 28 | Helen Tudor | Oswestry Paragon CC | WV | 01:09:06 | 5 |
| 29 | Mark Stocks | Newport (Shropshire) CC | V | 01:09:27 | 5 |
| 30 | Robert Elliott | Wrekinsport CC | V | 01:09:51 | 5 |
| 31 | Richard Goddard | Newport (Shropshire) CC | V | 01:16:58 | 5 |
| Andrew Clarke | North Shropshire Wheelers | V | DNF | ||
| Andy Davies | Wrekinsport CC | V | DNS | ||
| Damian Jay | Propel Cycling Club | V | DNS | ||
| Emma Serjeant | Hafren CC | W | DNS | ||
| Jenny York | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | WV | DNS | ||
| Linda Beckett | North Shropshire Wheelers | WV | DNS |
Friction and Hydraulic Services Veterans Championship – Round 10
| Vets Pos’n | Name | Club | Cat | Vet +/- | Vets Points |
| 1 | Deb Hutson-Lumb | Nova Raiders | WV | +13:00 | 60 |
| 2 | Dean Dovey | Nova Raiders | V | +10:50 | 55 |
| 3 | Ian Nisbett | Hafren CC | V | +10:39 | 50 |
| 4 | Victor Chetta | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | V | +10:38 | 45 |
| 5 | Andy Hazell | Nova Raiders CC | V | +9:29 | 40 |
| 6 | William Baugh | Ludlow CC | V | +8:55 | 35 |
| 7 | Gary Duncan | Oswestry Paragon CC | V | +8:53 | 30 |
| 8 | Steven Ford | Nova Raiders | V | +8:52 | 25 |
| 9 | Ian Pollard | SCCA Private Member | V | +7:52 | 20 |
| 10 | Ed Middleton | Nova Raiders | V | +7:31 | 15 |
| 11 | Dean Barnett | Oswestry Paragon CC | V | +6:57 | 10 |
| 12 | Neil Coles | Oswestry Paragon CC | V | +6:25 | 5 |
| 13 | Jenny Newton | Nova Raiders | WV | +5:15 | 5 |
| 14 | Jason Arnold | Hafren CC | V | +5:11 | 5 |
| 15 | Helen Tudor | Oswestry Paragon CC | WV | +4:45 | 5 |
| 16 | Simon Evans | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | V | +4:29 | 5 |
| 17 | Mark Griffiths | Wrekinsport CC | V | +3:08 | 5 |
| 18 | Robert Elliott | Wrekinsport CC | V | +3:00 | 5 |
| 19 | John Westhead | Paramount CRT | V | +2:43 | 5 |
| 20 | Mark Stocks | Newport (Shropshire) CC | V | -0:49 | 5 |
| 21 | Richard Goddard | Newport (Shropshire) CC | V | -8:07 | 5 |
Friction and Hydraulic Services Women’s Championship – Round 10
| Women’s Pos’n | Name | Club | Cat | Time | Women’s Points |
| 1 | Deb Hutson-Lumb | Nova Raiders | WV | 01:01:44 | 60 |
| 2 | Charlotte Chapman | Nova Raiders | W | 01:01:45 | 55 |
| 3 | Jenny Newton | Nova Raiders | WV | 01:08:23 | 50 |
| 4 | Helen Tudor | Oswestry Paragon CC | WV | 01:09:06 | 45 |
| Emma Serjeant | Hafren CC | W | DNS | ||
| Jenny York | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | WV | DNS | ||
| Linda Beckett | North Shropshire Wheelers | WV | DNS |
Friction and Hydraulic Services Junior Championship – Round 10
| Junior Pos’n | Name | Club | Cat | Time | Junior Points |
| 1 | Kieran Morris | SCCA Private Member | J | 00:55:33 | 60 |
| 2 | Samuel Holwill | Hafren CC | J | 00:57:43 | 55 |
| 3 | Henri Bedford | Revolutions Racing | J | 00:58:47 | 50 |
Team 25 Award
Gold – Nova Raiders (Dean Dovey, Dean Callister, Ed Middleton) 2:53:14
Top Club Award – Round 10
| Pos’n | Club | Points |
| 1 | Nova Raiders | 80 |
| 2 | Hafren CC | 65 |
| 3 | Holohan Coaching RT | 60 |
| 4 | Revolutions Racing | 55 |
| 5 | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | 45 |
| 6 | Oswestry Paragon CC | 30 |
| =7 | Newport (Shropshire) CC | 10 |
| =7 | Wrekinsport CC | 10 |
| =9 | Ludlow CC | 5 |
| =9 | Paramount CRT | 5 |
Cumulative Standings after ten rounds
Friction and Hydraulic Services Shropshire Championship Points Series
| Position | Name | Club | Cat | Best 12 |
| 1 | Ian Nisbett | Hafren CC | V | 440 |
| 2 | Bryn Davies | Hafren CC | V | 385 |
| 3 | Victor Chetta | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | V | 365 |
| 4 | Dean Dovey | Nova Raiders | V | 300 |
| 5 | Kieran Morris | SCCA Private Member | J | 205 |
| 6 | Kirk Vickers | Holohan Coaching RT | S | 190 |
| =7 | Chris Halford | Wrekinsport CC | V | 155 |
| =7 | Ed Middleton | Nova Raiders | S | 155 |
| 9 | Matt Davies | Holohan Coaching RT | S | 150 |
| =10 | Dean Callister | Nova Raiders | S | 140 |
| =10 | Henri Bedford | Revolutions Racing | J | 140 |
Friction and Hydraulic Services Veterans Championship
| Position | Name | Club | Best 12 |
| 1 | Dean Dovey | Nova Raiders | 460 |
| 2 | Ian Nisbett | Hafren CC | 450 |
| 3 | Deb Hutson-Lumb | Nova Raiders | 405 |
| 4 | Bryn Davies | Hafren CC | 360 |
| 5 | Victor Chetta | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | 330 |
| 6 | Chris Halford | Wrekinsport CC | 165 |
| 7 | Ian Pollard | SCCA Private Member | 145 |
| 8 | David Wilson | North Shropshire Wheelers | 130 |
| 9 | Tony Harvey | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | 125 |
| 10 | Gino Trasatti | North Shropshire Wheelers | 100 |
Friction and Hydraulic Services Women’s Championship
| Women’s Pos’n | Name | Club | Best 12 |
| 1 | Deb Hutson-Lumb | Nova Raiders | 415 |
| 2 | Charlotte Chapman | Nova Raiders | 355 |
| =3 | Emma Serjeant | Hafren CC | 280 |
| =3 | Helen Tudor | Oswestry Paragon CC | 280 |
| 5 | Jenny Newton | Nova Raiders | 150 |
| 6 | Jenny York | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | 100 |
| 7 | Natalie Brooks | Paramount CRT | 95 |
| 8 | Jane Chapman | Nova Raiders | 80 |
| 9 | Alison Dockney | SCCA Private Member | 50 |
| =10 | Elaine Langley | North Shropshire Wheelers | 45 |
| =10 | Louise Downward | Hafren CC | 45 |
| =10 | Milly Deer | North Shropshire Wheelers | 45 |
Friction and Hydraulic Services Junior Championship
| Junior Pos’n | Name | Club | Best 12 |
| 1 | Kieran Morris | SCCA Private Member | 355 |
| 2 | Henri Bedford | Revolutions Racing | 280 |
| 3 | Sam Holwill | Hafren CC | 110 |
| 4 | George Mills-Keeling | Cycle Club Bridgnorth RWG | 60 |
| 5 | George Coombes | Evolve | 55 |
| 6 | Alex Hart | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | 45 |
| 7 | Rebecca Woodvine | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | 40 |
| 8 | Charlie Price | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | 35 |
Top Club Award
| Position | Club | Total Points |
| 1 | Hafren CC | 975 |
| 2 | Nova Raiders | 950 |
| 3 | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | 555 |
| 4 | Wrekinsport CC | 375 |
| 5 | North Shropshire Wheelers | 345 |
| 6 | Holohan Coaching RT | 400 |
| 7 | Ludlow Brewery RT | 185 |
| 8 | Revolutions Racing | 200 |
| 9 | Oswestry Paragon CC | 120 |
| 10 | Ludlow CC | 90 |
| 11 | Clee Cycles | 80 |
| 12 | Cycle Club Bridgnorth RWG | 65 |
| 13 | Newport Shropshire CC | 60 |
| 14 | Paramount CRT | 40 |
| 15 | Evolve | 5 |