Brian Mear (Bricks) Ltd Shropshire Championship 100

The longest race on the Shropshire time trialling calendar saw 2018’s Trophy winners retain their Championships despite a late imposed course change for the Brian Mear (Bricks) Ltd Shropshire Championship 100. Terrific organisation by Dave York saw a major reshuffle of resources to the Anfield 100 circuit thanks to the unexpected continuation of traffic lights at Long Lane, with riders full of praise for the work that was needed to ensure the event took place.  

Those retained Championship didn’t come easily however, with the distance a war of attrition that can see riders going well one minute and hitting a brick wall the next. Long-distance specialist Victor Chetta knew he’d been in a race after taking 100 Gold and The Jack Parker 100 mile Trophy by less than two minutes in a fabulous time of 3 hours, 54 minutes 39 seconds to see off a strong challenge from Matt Davies, just 1:54 back. Chetta was also worried about the presence of Kirk Vickers, who just missed out on Bronze by 57 seconds in a tight contest for medal places, but despite feeling tired he clung on for victory, stating: “I knew I faced a strong challenge from Matt and Kirk, but felt jaded as this was my third 100 of the season. I ended up just going through motions – over three minutes slower than in the Anfield 100, but thankfully enough to retain the trophy“.

Davies is on the comeback trail after some time away from time trialling and after a steady start earlier in the season has been getting back towards the high standards he is known for. The Holohan Coaching rider was pleased with his morning’s work and got a fillip every lap thanks to his family giving excellent support at the feeding station. Davies was the only other County rider beating the benchmark four hours in an impressive 3:56:33. He commented: “I could not be happier with Silver. I had a great day out, my family were handing up water bottles, going slightly quicker than last time on the D100/2, although like most I was getting pretty uncomfortable by the end. What’s really nice is to slowly be getting closer to the front of the race again, only a couple of minutes behind Victor this time and an impressive ride from Vic for the win. A huge thank you also needs to go out to everyone involved in putting the event on with all of the last minute changes that happened, well done“.

Davies’ comments show how having support breaks up what can be a lonely ride, with every distraction a welcome one. However the Bronze medallist had no such support as Ian Nisbett realised how much time he lost for pit stops despite posting a creditable 4:05:22: “I learnt from last year’s 100m time trial where I fell apart in the last 30 minutes. Much improved pacing and fuelling this time, and I produced a very consistent ride. I actually felt quite good during the last lap. However I probably could have gone a few minutes quicker as I lost time from having to pit stop for bottles and gels. I need to find some minions for next time as I could see the benefit it gave to some riders! Excellent organisation and marshalling from Dave and his team“.

Chetta also retained the 100 mile Veteran’s title with an excellent Standard of +49:32, but by a more comfortable margin of +5:36 ahead of Nisbett who took home Silver in +43:56. Nisbett moved into the lead of the Friction Veterans Series on the strength of this fine performance after overhauling Dean Dovey by 15 points.

Chetta and Nisbett weren’t the only riders to take home a brace of medals after Helen Tudor not only retained the Women’s 100 Mile Trophy, she also captured Bronze in the Veteran’s Championship too with a fine +29:54. Tudor had a big challenge in the shape of Nova Raiders’ Deb Hutson-Lumb to contend with in both competitions but a recurring back injury returned to put paid to Hutson-Lumb’s ride exacerbated by the huge distance which finds out every weakness and relentlessly bares down upon competitors.

The SCCA Chair was delighted to take Women’s Gold again in a course best 5:00:08 – but had mixed feelings after failing to beat the 20mph standard by just nine seconds. She commented: “I was pleased to retain the Women’s 100 trophy, though gutted for Deb that she couldn’t finish as she is having a great season. Huge thanks to Dave York for putting on the event despite having to change course and to all the marshals who helped out“.

None of the Top 4 were involved in the Team Championship, awarded to the Top 3 riders representing the same club. Those Gold medals went to North Shropshire Wheelers, with Tim Rex, James Neale and Gareth Brookes posting a combined time of 13:25:26 – with Neale’s and Brookes’ efforts all the more impressive for both being their first finishes at the distance. The experienced Rex led the team home in 4:26:15 to capture fifth spot overall. He commented: “It was a good day and a very well organised event, thanks to all those involved. I’m really pleased with my team mates. James and Gareth were excellent in their respective debut rides for that distance“.

Neale had had a go on the same circuit in May’s Anfield 100 but a crash put paid to his ride. He stopped the watch on 4:29:06 to take an excellent sixth place 59 seconds and one place ahead of Brookes. Neale stated: “I crashed out back in May’s event so played things safe and used my road bike. It feels great to have a solid ride and win as a team. Thanks to the organisers and volunteers and everyone who encouraged me to ride this distance“. Brookes agreed, adding: “It was a great event and well organised considering the short notice to change the course. It’s the first time for both me and James to do that distance and so we are both pleased with our efforts. This was backed up by a strong ride from Tim. We are all really pleased to win the Team Gold for North Shropshire Wheelers“.

Result

Friction and Hydraulic Services Shropshire Championship Points Series – Round 12

Pos’n Forename Surname Club Cat Time Points
1 Victor Chetta Mid Shropshire Wheelers V 3:54:39 80
2 Matt Davies Holohan Coaching Race Team S 3:56:33 75
3 Ian Nisbett Hafren CC V 4:05:22 70
4 Kirk Vickers Holohan Coaching Race Team S 4:06:19 65
5 Tim Rex North Shropshire Wheelers V 4:26:15 60
6 James Neale North Shropshire Wheelers S 4:29:06 55
7 Gareth Brookes North Shropshire Wheelers V 4:30:05 50
8 Nick Long Nova Raiders S 4:37:14 45
9 Andrew Lacon Nova Raiders S 4:40:25 40
10 David Gostelow Wrekinsport CC V 4:48:36 35
11 Alistair Hatton Wrekinsport CC V 4:56:52 30
12 Helen Tudor Oswestry Paragon CC WV 5:00:08 25
13 Bob Elliott Wrekinsport CC V 5:10:51 20
14 Dave Mellor Mid Shropshire Wheelers V 5:37:03 15
  Deb Hutson-Lumb Nova Raiders WV DNF  
  Dean Dovey Nova Raiders V DNF  

Friction and Hydraulic Services Veterans Championship – Round 12

Vets Pos’n Forename Surname Club Cat Vet +/- Vets Points
1 Victor Chetta Mid Shropshire Wheelers V +49:32 80
2 Ian Nisbett Hafren CC V +43:56 75
3 Helen Tudor Oswestry Paragon CC WV +29:54 70
4 Gareth Brookes North Shropshire Wheelers V +23:55 65
5 Tim Rex North Shropshire Wheelers V +23:03 60
6 David Gostelow Wrekinsport CC V +16:18 55
7 Bob Elliott Wrekinsport CC V +5:20 50
8 Alistair Hatton Wrekinsport CC V +3:12 45
9 Dave Mellor Mid Shropshire Wheelers V -34:40 40

Friction and Hydraulic Services Women’s Championship – Round 12

Women’s Pos’n Forename Surname Club Cat Time Women’s Points
1 Helen Tudor Oswestry Paragon CC WV 5:00:08 80
  Deb Hutson-Lumb Nova Raiders WV DNF  

Team 100 Award

Gold – North Shropshire Wheelers (Tim Rex, James Neale, Gareth Brookes) 13:25:26

Top Club Award – Round 12

Pos’n Club Points
1 North Shropshire Wheelers 165
2 Holohan Coaching Race Team 140
3 Mid Shropshire Wheelers 95
=4 Nova Raiders 85
=4 Wrekinsport CC 85
6 Hafren CC 70
7 Oswestry Paragon CC 25

Cumulative Standings after twelve rounds

Friction and Hydraulic Services Shropshire Championship Points Series

Position Name Club Cat Best 12
1 Ian Nisbett Hafren CC V 510
2 Victor Chetta Mid Shropshire Wheelers V 445
3 Bryn Davies Hafren CC V 385
4 Dean Dovey Nova Raiders V 340
5 Kirk Vickers Holohan Coaching RT S 305
6 Matt Davies Holohan Coaching RT S 225
7 Chris Halford Wrekinsport CC V 210
8 Kieran Morris SCCA Private Member J 205
9 Dean Callister Nova Raiders S 200
10 Ed Middleton Nova Raiders S 190

Friction and Hydraulic Services Veterans Championship

Position Name Club Best 12
1 Ian Nisbett Hafren CC 525
2 Dean Dovey Nova Raiders 510
3 Deb Hutson-Lumb Nova Raiders 465
4 Victor Chetta Mid Shropshire Wheelers 410
5 Bryn Davies Hafren CC 360
6 Chris Halford Wrekinsport CC 220
7 Ian Pollard SCCA Private Member 145
8 Stephen Minton Ludlow Brewery RT 140
=9 David Wilson North Shropshire Wheelers 130
=9 Helen Tudor Oswestry Paragon CC 130
=9 William Baugh Ludlow CC 130

Friction and Hydraulic Services Women’s Championship

Women’s Pos’n Name Club Best 12
1 Deb Hutson-Lumb Nova Raiders 475
2 Helen Tudor Oswestry Paragon CC 360
3 Charlotte Chapman Nova Raiders 355
4 Emma Serjeant Hafren CC 280
5 Jenny Newton Nova Raiders 200
6 Alison Dockney SCCA Private Member 105
7 Jenny York Mid Shropshire Wheelers 100
8 Natalie Brooks Paramount CRT 95
9 Jane Chapman Nova Raiders 80
=10 Elaine Langley North Shropshire Wheelers 45
=10 Louise Downward Hafren CC 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 Nova Raiders 1185
2 Hafren CC 1050
3 Mid Shropshire Wheelers 655
4 Holohan Coaching RT 590
5 Wrekinsport CC 515
6 North Shropshire Wheelers 510
7 Ludlow Brewery RT 275
8 Revolutions Racing 200
9 Oswestry Paragon CC 145
10 Ludlow CC 125
11 Clee Cycles 80
=12 Cycle Club Bridgnorth RWG 65
=12 Newport Shropshire CC 65
14 Paramount CRT 40
15 Evolve 5