R3 SB Sports Injuries: SCCA Spring 10 No.3

Windy conditions still prevailed at the third Shropshire CCA Spring 10 – although Tomos Hales was finally outpaced. Round 3 of the SB Sports Injuries Series saw a return to the Waters Upton Hodnet course, with visiting couple Tom Brazier and Keri Parton coming away with the spoils overall. For Brazier, regularly at the sharp end of the results this was a first visit to the course, stopping the watch on 20 minutes 20 seconds – although conditions clearly affected even that impressive time: “The first time I’ve done the course, an enjoyable out and back with road in great condition by Shropshire standards. I didn’t have the confidence to go full aero as had a gusty side-wind grabbing the front wheel, especially where there were gaps in the hedge. I spent a bit too much time on the base bar, but happy with the effort given conditions, I opened up the taps in places. Really well organised as always, and I appreciate the effort that goes into holding these events. I will be back again soon, possibly to tow Keri round on a 2-Up; thanks again to all involved”.

Hales took the honours for Shropshire and is putting up a fierce defence of the SB Series title he won in 2023, taking another maximum 20 points to ease an eight point advantage over Jonathan Mills-Keeling, 2023’s Bronze medallist. The Wrekinsport rider set a great time of 21:11, with Mills-Keeling in 4^th spot on 21:54. Hales enjoyed his afternoon on the flattest course in Shropshire after an early season mixing it on the sporting courses, for which he appears equally adept. He stated: “I do enjoy the SCCA Spring 10’s at the start of the season as it is a good gauge of where you are at. Overall I was pleased with the results; thanks for Oswestry Paragon for hosting and all the marshals that helped out”.

Third spot went to another visiting rider with 40% of the field coming from outside SCCA members to take advantage of getting race fit early season and demonstrating their popularity. Recording a solid effort of 21:42, Army Cycling’s Jonathan Whittaker is having an impressive start to his season: “I had a good race, though the conditions were quite windy which seemed to be a common theme for the past few weeks’ time trails around Shropshire. I saw some good names on the start list so I knew it would be hard work, but having recently finished third in the Paramount Hilly 20 I knew I had good enough form. The return leg from Espley island was tough work in the wind, but even in the conditions I managed a course personal best from when I last did a time trial on the D10/23r in 2023”.

Hales wasn’t the only rider taking their third maximum in a row as Jonathan Mills-Keeling won the SB Veteran’s competition with a fine +4:57; and now holds an 18 point lead over Hafren CC’s Mark Hill. The Aerologic RT rider seems determined to better his Veteran’s Bronze from 2023 and appreciated the drop in the wind from Round 2: “The last of the Spring Series was not as windy as the week before. I paced it better, but tough on the return. It has been lots of fun, thanks to all involved, and great to be racing again”.

As already mentioned Keri Parton took overall honours in the Female competition with 22:34 for an impressive 6^th spot overall; but unlike partner Brazier knows the course well. In her 10 mile season opener she beat her best 2023 effort on the course by three seconds, indicating a strong ride given the hampering conditions. She stated: “Happy to get my first 10 mile time trial of the season in, and even better with a win! Crosswinds were fairly strong which also didn’t seem to be an aid anywhere on the course. Brilliantly organised as always and super friendly”.

Like Hales and Mills-Keeling, Hayley Wells also has a maximum 60 points from the three events, opening the gap to Hafren CC’s Jan Davies to six points. Wells has been on great form during the early season events and didn’t disappoint with 23:41, another course personal best to knock 20 seconds off her benchmark set the previous week. She commented: “Delighted to pick up a course personal best despite the wind not being in our favour, I was glad I kept the Zipp 404 on the front! A great course for the season openers, and super organised as always”.

There is a new leader of the SB Road Bike Series as Propel CC’s Matt Muir moved to the top of the standing six points thanks to his adjusted 32:33 and ahead of previous leader Mark Fenn. This new Series is there to encourage riders without time trialling equipment, or those who simply fancy a change to get competitive on their ordinary racing bikes – with Muir graphically showing just the type of rider this is aimed at: “After a 30 year break from time trialling I was taken back when I was told I was leading the Road Bike section for this Series. This Series caters for all abilities, which is great for anyone like me wanting to come back to competing. You are not judged, but encouraged to participate, and I would recommend anyone to have a go and support the local cycling clubs. We had a mixture of weather, but overall generally dry for the first three time trials, notably the second event being a little windy on the return leg from Hodnet. Thanks also must go to the kind volunteers that without their help these great events would not take place – and not forgetting the lovely tea and cake from the village hall at the end”. 

Full:

Handbike:

Veterans:

Females:

Road Bike:

Cumulative Standings after three rounds

Overall

Veterans

Females:

Road Bike:

Juniors