R2 UKICT 2-Up Series: Holohan Coaching RT 10

A successful first time organising a time trial saw Holohan Coaching RT promote an enjoyable evening in a format sorely missed in 2020 in the UK ICT 2-Up Series at Westbury as the promoting club took the spoils in Round 2. A 26-strong field enjoyed great conditions with a favourable south-westerly wind helping along the long six mile opening leg – although the final sting in the tail surprised a few as Matt Davies and Chris Pook took a clear win in 21 minutes and 20 seconds. The Holohan Coaching pair are normally fast in solo events and didn’t disappoint, seeing off a challenge from visiting triathletes Tommy Corfield and Dan Elliott by 31 seconds, with Nova Raiders pairing of Graeme Donnell and Andrew Lacon a further 20 seconds back for third spot on 22:11.

With road racing only just beginning to appear back on the agenda Davies and Pook were able to get in a it of pre-emptive training for ripping each other’s legs off and were able to use the format as if in a two man break, They clearly enjoyed their win as Davies explained: “It was great to be back racing, let alone winning and as a two man team. A great night with good weather and wind – I’d like to give a huge thank you to all who helped in putting the event on”. Pook added: “It was good fun. A pleasant evening for it and I enjoying racing again as it has been too long! We should probably have started a little harder, but all in all we were pleased with our ride. Thank you to Liam Holohan for hosting”. The pair moved into joint lead of the Series tying with team mates Kirk Vickers and Liam Holohan at the top of the standings in what could be an intriguing battle.

In the Mixed Team competition a last minute decision saw Hafren CC’s Bryn Davies and former Hafren rider Rebecca Richardson team up to take the Overall win in 23:33 – despite the sting in the tail of Shoot Hill causing issues for Davies, but not for Richardson who takes such short climbs in her stride. A multiple hill climb champion and multiple hill climb course record holder, the vertical holds no fears for Richardson, who was experiencing her first 2-Up. However that last mile nearly saw things unravel as Richardson explained: “A fun event, my first 2-Up and I enjoyed the teamwork. The last mile was quite funny as I wasn’t sure if Bryn was going to survive to the finish line”! Davies elaborated: “It was a last minute decision to ride; I’m glad I did, we rode well together but I was burning my matches too quickly and ran out of gas at the end. I was towed in by Rebecca who had plenty left in the tank, she is strong as! Yes “fun” may be a strange description but it felt good to be pushing myself and racing 2-Up again”.

Taking the maximum 20 points on offer for affiliated riders were a pair used to each other’s strengths as Mark Hill and Emma Serjeant the 2019 Mixed Team Champions from the last time Covid-19 allowed a Series to be run set out a strong benchmark of 24:12 as they settled back into a format they have missed. A bit of ring-rustiness appeared to kick in from the off as Serjeant explained: “I enjoyed being back racing 2-Up again. I had a panic at the start when Mark went off the line hard and I struggled to stay with him, but we soon settled back into a good flow and we’re able to finish strong”. Hill meanwhile seemed to be caught out a little by Shoot Hill as his comments explained: “The atmosphere at the start was relaxed and friendly. Our first ride together for 12 months soon flowed smoothly with effective changeovers and a fast ride out to the first roundabout. Busy road traffic at both turns but we got through well. Emma rode strongly on the last leg and we crossed the line out of breath – meaning me anyway”!

In the Women’s Championship it was a welcome return for Nova Raiders pair Jenny Newton and Jane Chapman who have won the Women’s Series on multiple occasions. Not able to compete in 2020 they soon got back into the flow with a 27:24 effort they are sure to better as the season progresses. Newton stated: “It was great to be back racing the 2-Up again; it was a great evening for it. I’ve missed that little kicker at the end of that course”! Chapman agreed, adding: “It was great to have a go after almost two years. It was almost fun! Thanks to all the organisers”.

Result:

Mixed Team:

Women’s Team:

Cumulative Standings after two rounds

Overall

Mixed Team

Women’s Team