Nova Raiders Sporting 10 No.2

A dead heat for first place saw the top two riders in the SB Sports Injuries Series share the spoils in round 8 at Cherrington. The second Nova Raiders Sporting 10 saw Bryn Davies and Dan Watts vying for the course record set a week earlier by Luke Pollard, with both agonisingly missing out by four seconds after hurling themselves across the finish line in 22 minutes 26 seconds.

Davies was kicking himself due to a traffic hold up that cost him both overall victory and that record, although familiarity with the course helped where to lay down the power. He explained: “It can’t get any closer at the top, it’s turning out to be a great little battle going on there. I rode the course a bit better this time and was quicker than last week despite being held up behind a stock trailer. I’m pleased with the result and with knowing I could have gone faster without being held up. Thanks to the Nova Raiders for putting on a great nights racing again“.

Watts meanwhile was left kicking himself after failing to snatch his team mate’s record with a friendly rivalry in play between the two RAF CA riders. He commented: “I was really pleased with the result after a hard training block. Another good Raiders organisation, though I was gutted not to take Luke’s course record, he will have bragging rights for a little longer“!

Whilst Davies and Watts both had the advantage of trying out the course a week earlier it was a first sight for the rider who ended up in third place, Stuart Proctor. Last year’s Bronze medallist in the Coaching Revolutions Hill Climb Series wasn’t far off the pace of Davies and Watts, just 19 seconds back on 22:44 – though he revealed the 10% climb halfway through the course had given him a few worries: “I was a little nervous going into the event with the notorious Cheyney Hill climb to tackle, but I seemed to pace it just right in the end! I was chuffed with a sub-23 minute ride. An ace course, really well organised and a great welcome by the Nova Raiders guys“.

revolutions Racing’s Proctor wasn’t finished there either taking the maximum 20 points on offer in the Veteran’s Series with a fine +4:01, 13 seconds ahead of Davies on the age-adjusted standard, though Davies stretched his Veteran’s lead to 20 points over Nova Raiders Scott Harris who was third on the night in +2:44.

It was another Revolutions Racing rider who took the honours in the Womens Series too with Pauline Hughes posting a 50 second win ahead of Jenny Newton with a fine time of 26:44. Hughes commented: “A great event as always from Nova Raiders. A challenging but enjoyable course. Lots of encouragement which helped as I found it tough“! Newton remains at the top of the Womens standings by a good margin of 34 points but saw that lead reduced slightly by Hughes who sits in the runners-up spot after eight rounds.

SB Sports Injuries and Physiotherapy Series – Round 8

SB Sports Injuries and Physiotherapy Veterans Series – Round 8

SB Sports Injuries and Physiotherapy Womens Series – Round 8

Cumulative Standings after eight rounds

Overall

Veterans

Womens

Juniors

• Round 9 of the SB Sports Injuries Series takes place on 23rd June when Oswestry Paragon CC promote their 19 mile hilly on the Queen’s Head – Gobowen – Ellesmere course. 7pm start.