R3 Mower Mec 2-Up Series: Hafren CC 10

Three seconds was the difference between first and second place in Hafren CC’s 2-Up 10 as lessons were learnt about marginal gains. Held on the fast Berriew – Welshpool course, Round 3 of the Mower Mec 2-Up Series saw new Series leaders on a glorious summer’s evening. The visiting duo of Tom Brazier and Keri Parton took the Overall win in 20 minutes 48 seconds, with Parton hanging on to her partner’s wheel in a discipline where times are normally faster than those possible for solo events due to the drafting effect. It can take a little nerve to sit close enough to benefit, as Parton explained post-race: “I managed to persuade my partner Tom to tow me around! It was good fun and a great atmosphere on the night, the rain also held off. Very close for the win, so I was glad I held the wheel despite some wavering, it was a minute and a half quicker than my solo time trial a few weeks earlier – thanks again to all the marshals and everyone who organises and helps put these cracking events on”.

But things could have been very different but for a little start line practice as Mid Shropshire Wheelers’ Paul Duncan and Paramount CRT’s Mason Durant took the maximum 20 points on offer for affiliated riders with a fine 20:51. The Round 2 winners headed to the top of the Mower Mec standings with Hafren CC’s Chris Lewis and Carl Spencer getting closest with 23:39, showing the high quality at the sharp end. Duncan was left rueing what might have been as vital seconds were lost starting with a further loss potentially avoidable at the turn roundabout had they arrived just that bit earlier: “Our ride went quite well. A slight early clip-in mishap for Mason, plus having to slow more than optimal at the first traffic island meant that the outward leg was slightly slower than the return leg. The return leg went well and felt fast. I was recovering from illness so had to rely on Mason to pull longer towards the end of the course as I was flagging by that point. Overall we were pleased with our performance”. Durant added: “We had much better power and changes than we have had before, and the fastest time as a pairing, so I felt good about our performance. The tight margins always make you think about where you could save time, and we could spot a few marginal gains, including clipping in and roundabouts. Well done to the winners; and thanks to the organisers”.

Duncan and Durant took over from Mark Hill and Jan Davies at the top of the Overall standings by four points thanks to their 25:02 effort, but the pair still lead the Mixed Team standings by 28 points from Wrekinsport’s Ashley Kirkham and Vic Doran, extending that lead by four points despite being outpaced on the night by visiting Oswestry Paragon pairing Adam Riley and Vikki Jones. Riley and Jones took the 20 points after finishing in 24:35, with Riley enjoying the course, stating:  “It was a lovely evening for a bimble in the sunshine, I would recommend – 10/10”

Result:

Mixed Team:

Cumulative Standings after three rounds

Overall

Mixed Team