R2 Coaching Revolutions 2-Up Series – Revolutions Racing 10

Revolutions Racing 10

It was two out of two for Matt Gibbons and Scott Harris as they took maximum points in Round 2 of the Coaching Revolutions 2-Up Series on a tough morning on the fast Montford Bridge course – although the Nova Raiders’ thought were more with team mate Nick Long post race. Bowling along at 33mph thanks to a roaring tailwind and a fast downhill stretch Long was with partner Ed Middleton just 200 yards from the finish line with the pair on for a long 21 minute ride when Long’s front tyre blew, sending him into an uncontrollable speed wobble and crashing into the verge. A trip to the hospital ensued, with Long taking up the story: “A few stitches and a shoulder that needed patching up but fortunately nothing broken! I can’t say the same about the bike unfortunately“.

Gibbons and Harris took the win in the Revolutions Racing 10 in 21 minutes 22 seconds, battling the strong headwind afflicting the longer ‘out’ leg and hold a fine 14 point advantage over team mates Andy Rose and Andy Maxwell at the top of the Overall standings. Both suffered for their hobby, with Gibbons commenting: “I was pleased with the result but it wasn’t pretty. Thanks to the organisers and all the marshals who made the event. Glad Nick is out of hospital and on the mend“. Harris added: “It was good to get the win. Tough on the way out and a pleasure on the return. Fingers crossed Nick will be back racing soon”.

The winning margin was just 14 seconds with the pairing of Clee Cycles Dave Griffiths and Paramount CRT’s Oliver Kyte putting up a fabulous effort of 21:36 – all the more impressive as they were riding road bikes. Griffiths has had some time away from time trialling but clearly enjoyed his morning out, stating: “It was great to be back on the Montford Bridge course, as flat and smooth as you get. We shared the load equally and welcomed the tailwind back. Doing it on road bikes made it slower but as I hadn’t ridden a time trial in two years I was happy with the position“. Kyte added: “It was a tough time trial with bad weather, so I’m very pleased with second spot so early in the season”

Nova Raiders seem to have taken this pairs format competition to their hearts as the club not only took the Overall win, they captured the Mixed Team and Women’s Team honours too. Jane Chapman and Jenny Newton, reigning the Women’s Champions are also two out of two winners in the Women’s Series – although they knew they were in for a mightily tight battle with Hafren CC’s Louise Downward and Emma Serjeant on the start line. Behind at the turn at Wolfshead island, Chapman and Newton dug deep to make the most of the strong tailwind and regain the initiative with a personal best effort, taking the win by a narrow eight seconds in 25:54.

Newton commented: “Firstly thank you so much to those who volunteer their time week after week without whom we would not be able to pursue this great hobby! It was very windy outbound, we could see the Hafren girls had gained on us by the turn. We both pushed extra hard on the return and were thrilled with a course personal best and the win“. Chapman confirmed Newton’s feelings, adding: “I was pleased with the result. It was tough going on the way out but we managed to get some speed up on the return“. Downward meanwhile hinted that Chapman and Newton would have to battle to retain their Championship as they took the runners-up spot in 26:02. Speaking for the team she stated: “This was our first 2-Up this year, and in quite windy conditions. We were pleased with the time and hopefully as we get more rides in we hope to see our times getting better – watch this space“!

The Chapman household wasn’t finished there with daughter Charlotte taking the win in the Mixed Team competition following a first-time pairing with team mate Richard Guy. The fresh combination surprised Mixed Team Series leaders Andy Collins and Lucy Hart by 21 seconds with an impressive 23:55 ride, with Chapman giving praise to her partner: “I was glad to get under 24 minutes in my first 2-Up with Rich. We worked well together, and I was thankful to have him to sit behind in the wind on the way out. Well done to Mum and Jenny for being a minute faster on the course this year, and thanks again to the awesome marshals who ran the event“. Guy added: “It was the first time pairing with Charlotte without any real practice, so the first half was a learning curve – especially for me! The second half seemed smoother and more settled. We were really pleased with the result, look forward to the next time“.

Result:

Mixed Team

Women’s Team

Cumulative Standings after two rounds

Overall

Mixed Team

Women’s Team

• Round 3 of the Coaching Revolutions 2-Up Series takes place at 7pm on Friday, 18th May when Oswestry Paragon CC promote their 10 on the Queen’s Head – Gobowen course.