R16 SB Sport Injuries Series: SCCA Autumn 10 No.2

Four more medals were resolved in the 16^th and penultimate round of the SB Sports Injuries Series as Dean Callister equalled the course best he posted the week before to take another win in the second SCCA Autumn 10. Held on the Tiddly triangle Callister posted a fine 20 minutes 50 second effort to take victory by 59 seconds from Paramount CRT’s Mason Durant. Already named SB Series winner, Callister showed emphatically why he has taken Gold with another fabulous performance on a glorious afternoon. He stated: “Another great afternoon of weather for racing, though slightly more wind than the pervious week but managed the same time down to the second. I was pleased with my effort and always enjoy the course – thanks to Bridgnorth CC for putting the event on”.

Durant is a latecomer to the SB Series but has been setting some fine times, with his 21:49 just three seconds slower than his Round 15 effort but seeing him finish as runner-up, advancing from 5^th spot a week earlier. The Paramount CRT rider has been making a name for himself in the Little Sweetpea Gardens/BBR Opticians Hill Climb Series but showed that he can cope with the relative flat too. The result was all the more impressive as he competed on a road bike. He stated: “I was really pleasantly surprised to come second. I tried not to get over-excited in the tailwind on the way out, knowing the ramps and headwind on the second leg would make it tough, particularly on the road bike. I think that strategy paid off, with a similar time as last week – thanks to Bridgnorth CC for organising a great event, and making the most of the last days of summer”.

Taking third spot was Bridgnorth CC rider Jonathan Mills-Keeling in 21:54, just five seconds off Durant’s effort but vitally three seconds ahead of Wrekinsport CCs Chris Halford. The pair were tied at the top of the SB Veterans Series after Round 15 and as they are the same age both receive the same Veteran’s Standard, with Mills-Keeling also taking 3r spot in that competition with +4:52, with that same three seconds seeing him open a slender two point gap over Halford with one round remaining. Mills-Keeling commented: “I enjoyed the race, a nice day and the roads where quieter then normal, thanks to Bridgnorth CC for putting on the event and all others involved”.

The Overall Bronze was sealed by Wrekinsport CC’s Tomos Hales, whose 6^th place on the day in 22:32 meant that he can no longer be caught be Mills-Keeling with a 24 points gap an just a maximum 20 points available. Hales has been very active in the Series, taking in all points of the County compass and was delighted to take the final medal, but had praise for Callister and Henri Bedford, the Gold and Silver medallists: “I’m very happy to take Bronze in the SB Series after a long season. Well done to Dean and Henri they were awesome all year. Some great events all over the county and thanks to all that put them on”.

Mills-Keeling and Halford had no answer for Deb Hutson-Lumb for the Veteran’s win as the Nova Raider recorded a fine +6:30, and but for injury early in the season would undoubtedly have been in the running for the Veterans Series. For once however she didn’t take the overall win in the Women’s event as her 23:31 was beaten by Sarah Grant by 19 seconds, despite being a course best: “Having gone out too hard on the first leg of the triangle the remaining miles felt like a battle against the bike. I was surprised and pleased therefore to come away with a course personal best. Another great event, and thanks to everyone giving up their time to make it happen”. Grant meanwhile was gaining her first experience of the Tiddly triangle in an all too rare sighting: “My first time racing the Tiddly triangle and very happy with the warm sunny day for it! I found it tough but was pleased with the result. Thanks again to all the SCCA and volunteers – see you next year”!

For once the attention in the Women’s Series wasn’t all on the winners however as a season-long battle between Marie Llewellyn and Clare Cotterill was finally resolved, with Llewellyn sealing Women’s Gold and Cotterill taking the Silver. The Nova Raider had been a distant last the previous week thanks to competing with sore legs, but she was back to form for this event, stopping the watch on 26 minutes exactly with Cotterill on 28:29. Both riders are in their debut seasons so were delighted to end them with something to show for their efforts, with Llewellyn commenting: “Totally stoked to take Gold in my first year of time trialling. Thank you and well done to Clare for keeping me motivated to enter the races I may not have otherwise done. Thank you to all of the SCCA organisers”. Cotterill added: “Really pleased to take the Silver in my debut time trial season, huge thanks to all the organisers”.

Amongst the Juniors Ryan Greaves took a solid win in 22:02 which was good enough for 5^th place overall, but seemed unhappy with his ride despite winning, stating: “Not a great day out for me, but always good to get the legs turning, thanks to all for organising”. His nearest competition came from Wrekinsport CC’s Ben Southgate, another rider in his first season, and his 23:46 effort was good enough to seal SB Junior Bronze. Southgate was thrilled to take a medal, and had thanks to his team mates who have helped him develop as the season has progressed: “So happy with my results, really pushing to find every last second now and by making small changes to my position on the bike is making a big difference – thanks to the members of Wrekinsport for the support and advice”.

Full:

Veterans:

Women:

Juniors:

Cumulative standings after sixteen rounds

Overall:

Veterans:

Women:

Juniors: