R3 SB Sports Injuries Series 2023: SCCA Spring 10 No.3

Tomos Hales headed into the sole lead of the SB Sports Injuries Series in Shropshire Cycling Clubs Association’s third Spring 10 at Waters Upton as he took the win by eight seconds in windy conditions. Hales stopped the watch on 21 minutes 40 seconds to put daylight between himself and Jonathan Mills-Keeling, having to dig hard to battle the northerly headwind that affected the ‘out’ leg to Hodnet. That toughness pleased Hales however as he revealed that these conditions are just to his liking: “I enjoyed the last Spring 10. I do like it with a hard out leg and having to hold on with the return leg. I was very happy to take the win – thanks for Wrekinsport for organising”.

Hales put four points between himself and Mills-Keeling rather than the expected two thanks to a strong challenge from James Satoor, making his first appearance in the SB Series since 2021 and showing he has lost none of his fitness. Newly signed to Bridgnorth CC, Satoor put in a great effort of 21:48 to take the runner-up spot, brushing off any potential unfamiliarity with his time trial bike after the dust had been removed. Satoor was delighted with the strength of his ride, particularly given the tough conditions, commenting: “It was good to be back on the time trial bike after over a year having not touched it! A tough head wind made the stint out hard work, but I was pleased with the ride in the end – thanks to the SCCA for organising the event”.

Mills-Keeling took the final podium spot Overall in 22:20, but strengthened his lead in the SB Veterans Series with a solid win when the age-related standards were applied. The Bridgnorth CC rider has the maximum possible 60 points available with a +4:31, putting some space between himself and a chasing Chris Riley of Paramount CRT who finished third Veteran with +2:57, with Wrekinsport’s Deb Hutson-Lumb taking runner-up in +3:08 which was all the more impressive for being recorded whilst on a road bike. Mills-Keeling seemed to suffer in the conditions, stating: “A dry afternoon with a block head wind to the island. I tried to push on, but didn’t seem to get much of a tailwind back. A great ride by Tomos for the win”.

Hutson-Lumb for once didn’t have things her own way in the SB Women’s Series, with her exact 27 minute ride taking the runner-up spot to Paramount’s Hayley Wells in her first appearance of the season. Wells set a great benchmark of 24:50 to take a strong 8^th spot Overall and was pleased with her ride, commenting: “My first time trial of the year and it was great to be back! Tough conditions with a headwind for the first half, but I saved enough in the tank for a speedy leg home – thanks to everyone”.

Mills-Keeling wasn’t the only rider to score his third maximum points tally in a row with Wrekinsport’s Ben Southgate making it a commanding 42 point lead at the head of the SB Junior Series thanks to a strong 24:26 effort. Like everyone else his comments concerned the battle to put the longer ‘out’ leg behind him: “Windy conditions but I managed to power through”.

______________________________________________________________________________

2023 is the SCCA’s 50^th anniversary. Unfortunately very limited records are available regarding the Association’s formation in 1973, what led up to it and development of County competitions in the early years. Any memories or photos from older riders concerning this period would be appreciated by the current committee.

For the first time ever the SCCA have produced its own commemorative cycling kit to help celebrate the 50^th anniversary. There is a short window until 24^th April to order – Head to www.champsys.uk and click on the TEAM STORE button at the top menu bar, then enter the case sensitive password SCCA23

Full:

Veterans:

Women:

Junior:

Cumulative Standings after three rounds

Overall

Veterans

Women’s

Juniors