North Shropshire Wheelers 10

A former 2-Up Champion made an immediate impact in Round 1 of the Coaching Revolutions 2-Up Series after some time off the bike – as the reigning Champions had to be content with third spot after some strong competition in the North Shropshire Wheelers 10. Nova Raiders’ Rich Nickless and Matt Gibbons had had a trial run right at the end of the 2016 Series and found they gelled almost immediately to take the runner-up spot then, but here they went one better after flying around the Prees – Lower Heath course in 22 minutes 19 seconds.

A delighted Nickless sounded an ominous warning of more to come, commenting: “An encouraging start for this Series. Eight months off the time trail bike meant I felt rusty! We hammered the ‘out’ leg towards the race HQ which proved the right decision“. That comment referred to the stiff breeze against riders from the north despite a sunny morning, with riders practiced at adjusting the length of turn taking shelter behind their partner gaining advantage. Gibbons was also pleased with the way the pairing worked, adding: “The race went well, and I was chuffed to pick up the win. Thanks to the marshals and supporters out on the course – looking forward to the rest of the season with Rich“.

It was a new competitive pairing that surprised the reigning Champions Pete Thomas and Bryn Davies of Hafren CC as Stuart Proctor and Ged Kennedy teamed up for the first time. Proctor and Kennedy posted an excellent challenge to Nickless and Gibbons with a fine effort of 22:31, with Thomas and Davies posting 23:02. Proctor stated: “A fantastic morning to be out racing on the course. This was a first time 2-Up partnership with Ged, although we’ve ridden together many times in the past; so we were over the moon to get runners-up place! Thanks to all at North Shropshire Wheelers for organising, and well done to the Nova Raiders guys on the win“!

Kennedy meanwhile was generous in his comments towards his partner, which clearly point to the efforts Proctor made and to his step-up in form for 2017: “I was pretty pleased with my first proper time trial in a few years although I only did a limited amount on the front and spent most of the event hanging on. Great riding by my partner“.

In the Mixed Team competition it was Nova Raiders again to the fore with Bernard and Debbie Hutson-Lumb riding their first time trial in many years. The pair stopped the watch on 25:48, 16 seconds ahead of the Market Drayton CC pairing of Alison and Allan Dockney, with Bernard commenting: “Not bad for a first attempt for a long time! It’s almost 20 years to the day since we last raced together, it was good fun. Deb talked me into doing the 2-Up because of encouragement from Nova Raiders about how much fun the format is. I had a thoroughly nice ride, it was a lovely day and a great course. Hopefully it will spur me on towards getting more competitive“!

Nova Raiders made it a triple threat after taking the Women’s result too. Reigning Women’s Champions Jenny Newton and Jane Chapman set out their defence early with a 26:56 ride, with nearest competitors Liz White and Hil Pontefract registering 31 minutes exactly. Newton stated: “The race went well, I enjoyed it as always and was very happy with our time for start of the season. Look forward to the next one“. Chapman added: “What a buzz! I really enjoy the 2-Up series. Thanks to all the organisers and marshals“.

Result:

• Round 2 of The Coaching Revolutions 2-Up Series takes place on 23rd April when Revolutions Racing promote their 10 mile event on the Nesscliffe bypass.