R15 SB Sport Injuries Series: SCCA Autumn 10 No.1

A glorious afternoon saw riders take an unexpected chance to shine under the sun as Dean Callister sealed the SB Sports Injuries Series with an emphatic win in Round 15, Shropshire Cycling Clubs Association’s Autumn 10 No.1. Held on the Tiddly triangle taking in Cold Hatton, Hodnet and Stanton, Callister registered a course Personal Best to ensure that the rider who has been nipping at his heels all season could no longer overhaul him with a fine effort of 20 minutes 50 seconds. The Nova Raider pushed Henri Bedford into the runner-up spot by 23 seconds, meaning the 17 year-old took SB Silver.

Callister revealed that a season target had been met with two rounds to go in this popular Series which attracted a field of 35 riders, stating: “Great weather for the Autumn 10 made it very enjoyable. I gave it my all on the day with a 20 second course PB so was very pleased with that. I’m very happy to have won the Overall also as this was a target of mine this season. Well done to Henri Bedford for always putting up a fight for the win. Thanks for a top afternoon, another great afternoon of racing and the sun was shining”.

Bedford has clearly enjoyed the full season battle with Callister equalling his highest finish in the Series after taking the runner-up position in the shortened 2020 Series on first count back after tying on points with Dan Watts; and adding another Overall Silver to the successful defence of the SB Junior Series he appears to have made his own. His 21:13 ride beat Bridgnorth CC’s Tim Beardmore by 25 seconds on a course he isn’t that keen on: “I’m not the biggest fan of the Tiddly triangle, but I managed to get an alright time considering the hot weather and busy roads. Thank you to the marshals and organisers for putting on the event. I am over the moon with coming second overall in the SB Series, it had been a tough year with amazing competition. Big congratulations to Dean for winning Overall – look forward to doing it all again next year”.

Beardmore took third spot Overall with his 21:38, pushing out Wrekinsport CC’s Tomos Hales by three seconds, and took the Veteran’s win in +5:08 seven seconds ahead of Hales’ team mate Rob Jackson, obviously refreshed from a short break: “My first race for a couple of weeks. I was hoping to be a bit quicker but my power was down and I had a couple of hold ups on the course. A lovely day for racing though, thanks to all involved in organising”.

Jackson’s runner-up spot made him one of the day’s other medal winners as he sealed SB Veteran’s Bronze with +5:01, pushing Wrekinsport team mate Chris Halford out by 14 seconds with +4:47. But the Gold and Silver medals are still in play after Halford drew level on points with Jonathan Mills-Keeling at the top of the standings thanks to Jenny York splitting the pair with +4:44 after Mills-Keeling registered +4:25. This battle looks set to go down to the wire, with Halford looking to improve on the Veterans Bronze he won in 2020. Jackson had pulled a ride out of the bag, like Callister recording a course Personal Best but unlike Bedford liking the Tiddly triangle: “I was really pleased to secure SB Veterans Bronze on my favourite 10 mile course and with a course PB.  A big effort through the middle section to keep the momentum going and an even bigger effort in the last mile to keep average speed high – thanks to everyone who helped put on such a well organised and enjoyable event”.

The Women’s Championship is still in play after Series leader Marie Llewellyn had a rare off day due to sore legs that saw her finish last in 32:25, well below her capability. This allowed Clare Cotterill to make up some ground to keep hopes alive as she beat Llewellyn by exactly four minutes. But neither of them had an answer for Jenny Newton who took a fine win of 49 seconds from York with a fabulous 25:23. Newton is another fan of the Tiddly circuit, a late change from the more usual Waters Upton – Hodnet course and was both pleased and surprised to find she had won: “It was such a lovely day which always helps! I felt unusually relaxed with no pre-race nerves and just rode to plan. I like that course as you can break it down into the three segments which helps the time pass away! It was a pleasant surprise to find out I was first lady -thank you all those making these events happen as always”.

There was one final medal resolved on the day as Market Drayton CC’s Harry Corney took SB Junior Silver after placing runner-up on the day behind Bedford with a fine 23:27. Corney has steadily improved as the season has progressed and was delighted to take a medal, commenting: ”I’d like to say massive thanks to everyone that was involved making the events happen. I’m really happy with my result, especially as it was my first full season – looking forward to the last race”.

Full result:

Veterans:

Women:

Juniors:

Cumulative Standings after fifteen rounds

Overall

Veterans

Women

Juniors