R13 SB Sports Injuries Series: SCCA Autumn 10 No.1

The final Gold medal of the SB Sports Injuries Series was sealed in Round 13, the SCCA’s first Autumn 10 as Helen Tudor finally took the Series she has often won Silver and Bronze in. Tudor scored a course personal best 26 minutes 12 seconds on a glorious afternoon on the ‘Tiddly’ circuit, taking in Cold Hatton – Hodnet – Stanton with a fine win of 23 seconds over Hafren CC’s Jan Davies to take the 20 points on offer and stretch her lead to an unassailable 50 points with just 40 available across the remaining two rounds. Tudor was delighted to finally seal victory in the Series, stating: “I was pleased to take the win; I’ve had some good battles with Jan this year. I enjoy riding the Tiddly circuit and conditions were favourable, so a course personal best. Thanks to Wrekinsport for putting the event on. It’s been a few years since I last won medals in the SB Series, thanks to all the clubs who put events on. Good to see some new faces taking part”.

The overall win went to Tudor’s Oswestry Paragon club mate David Griffiths with a huge winning margin of 1:39 over another Hafren rider Bryn Davies in a superb 20:33. Griffiths was visbly quicker than any other rider across the finish line and has found great late season form after an illness-affected summer to take full advantage of Shropshire’s extended programme into late September at a time when many have ceased promoting. His comments reflected the fast-approaching closer of the racing season: “What I am grateful for is the volunteers who give up their free time to make these events happen every weekend; and it’s been great to be able to race into autumn. I’m upset that it’s somehow the end of the season already”!

But things could have been different if Max Bufton hadn’t frustratingly suffered from mechanical issues that kept his 30mph target tantalisingly out of reach as first his time trial bike was put out of action and then his backup road bike also suffered issues, meaning he was stuck in the small chain ring. Determined to race, Bufton’s legs where a blur trying to make the best progress he could by spinning, eventually taking the Junior win in 23:46 and still finishing 6^th Overall. Frustration was the order of the day, but at least he got a superb cardio workout: “One of my goals was to go sub-20, so disappointed to miss out. Conditions and the course were good, so disappointed to have pre-race mechanicals which led to riding my road bike stuck in the small chain ring. Definitely a tough ride spinning at over 120rpm throughout the race”!

Davies meanwhile was happy to take the Overall runner-up spot in 22:12, pushing out Hafren team mate Conrad Taylor by 53 seconds despite a traffic delay. Nevertheless he expressed satisfaction at his effort – and taking a rare win from former Hafren rider Bufton: “A good turn out and a fine day for racing. I got held up at Peplow on the way out, but happy with the time nonetheless, and pleased with the result. Time lost wouldn’t have made any difference to the winner as David put in a cracking time. Unlucky for Max Bufton who would have undoubtedly put in a quicker time had he not suffered a mechanical before the start – probably the only time I can say I beat him! Thanks to everyone for putting on the event, a great afternoon’s racing”.

Taylor was trying out the Tiddly course for the first time and just pushed out a strong effort from Newport Shropshire CC’s fast improving George Coombes by eight seconds with 23:05. Taylor’s comments show how knowing a course’s features helps: “A solid ride I think, I’ve been trying to hang onto some late season form. Not familiar with the course so pacing was a challenge – I was hanging on in the last kilometre. Really enjoyed it and hopefully can improve at the next one, pleased with third”.

Full:

Veterans:

Women’s:

Juniors:

Cumulative Standings after thirteen rounds

Overall

Veterans

Women

Juniors