R11 SB Sports Injuries Series: Ludlow CC Scenic 10

Two Championships were sealed following Round 11 of the SB Sports Injuries Series, Ludlow CC’s Scenic 10 as Chris Riley took the SB Veterans Series and Richard Simpson the SB Road Bike Series on a hot evening and on the most beautiful course in Shropshire, as a number of first-timers found out. Won overall by Tomos Hales in 23 minutes and 3 seconds, that time speaks volumes about the challenge on offer in a rolling switchback of a circuit that never gives an opportunity to get bored as riders are routinely 2-3 minutes off their best.

Hales coped well with the circuit, taking in Broome – Long Meadowend – Purslow and Clungunford with a plan in mind, as he explained: “The most picturesque time trial on the Shropshire scene was again a warm one. My tactic this year was to attack the hill and hang on. I felt like I may have gone too hard up the hill, and struggled on the rest of the course. However a 15 second personal best suggests the tactic worked well – thanks to Ludlow CC for hosting was a great evening”. Reigning SB Series Champion Hales closed the gap to Chris Riley at the head of the standings to 24 points on the strength of this ride.

The runner-up spot was taken by Paramount’s Mitchell Fletcher, who together with wife Evie were encountering the circuit for the first time. Mitchell stopped the watch on 25:30, nine seconds ahead of visiting Surrey-based rider Dom Hill, and who also took the win in the Road Bike competition in a handicapped 24:52. The trip south for the Paramount pair was one full of anticipation, as Mitchell explained: “The Scenic 10 was very much a course I was looking forward to trying. I had heard so many good things about the challenge of it as well as its beauty, and it definitely didn’t disappoint. I treated this as 2 x 5 mile time trials, with the first being the hardest with the biggest hills; and the last a strong push to the line with some technical descents. I am happy with the performance; picking up 18 points in the SB Sports Injuries standings and look forward to coming back on a not so hot evening to hopefully smash my time”! This strong effort moved him up to third in the overall SB Series.

Evie was the sole female to try her luck on the circuit, finishing in 30:42 and stretching her SB Female Series lead to 28 points as a result. She was well pleased with making the effort to finally try out many rider’s favourite test, stating: “The Scenic 10 was a stunning course, with plenty to keep me entertained while giving it my all over the hills. It was a warm evening, so managing my effort was essential to make sure I finished with a strong time. I am pleased to have added another 20 points to my tally in the Series, and look forward to future races on this amazing course”.

In the SB Road Bike Series Richard Simpson was another rider took Gold after taking the maximum 20 points on offer with a handicap adjusted 25:05, giving him an tremendous 102 point lead with a maximum 80 available across the remaining four rounds. Simpson was another first-timer, and showed how much the course impresses new riders: “I loved the Ludlow Scenic 10 course which seemed to favour power more than aero and, as the name suggests, was set in some beautiful countryside with a really friendly atmosphere. I was really pleased to take Road Bike maximum points too, especially as there were some strong road bike riders competing. Winning the SB Road Bike Gold was also fantastic, especially as this was my first season competing seriously after only taking part in the final couple of events in last year’s Autumn Series. Competing in the SB Series has been a really enjoyable experience, which has given me the opportunity to ride so many different courses throughout the county and meet so many really nice people. Thank you to all those who turn up to compete; and especially thanks to all those who put so much effort into putting these events on. Congratulations too to Chris Riley on a very commanding Veterans category Gold; very well deserved”.

Riley is one of two Paramount members have recently been battling head-to-head for points in the SB Veterans Series, with the age difference a key factor in keeping things close. Won on the night by John Westhead with +1:25, beating Riley by just three seconds; Westhead knew things were going to be tight for honours, as he explained: “Chris and I spoke before the race and he reckoned that he needed to beat me by two minutes to overcome the age adjustment. In the race, he set off two minutes behind me, so he was hoping to catch me. At the finish he had me in his sights, but was still 13 seconds behind and I managed to hang on to the Veterans win by just three seconds. It could have gone either way, but I was pleased with the win”.

Riley’s 18 points gained on the night were enough to take Gold in the SB Veterans Series, which was one of his targets for the year in a vintage season. He was delighted to finally seal victory, stating: “The SB Interclub Series is a fantastic selection of races; easy to enter and all have a friendly atmosphere. It’s great to win the Veterans overall. I was just lucky to have had the aero advantage over super strong Richard Simpson on his road bike. If the ‘Ruckley Rocket’ John Westhead had found his form sooner it may also have been a different story, however. It has been great racing by all the Veterans this year; huge thanks to the organisers for the brilliant events”.

Full:

Veterans:

Females:

Road Bikes (on handicap):

Cumulative Standings after eleven rounds

Overall

Veterans

Females

Road Bike

Juniors