R5 Mower Mec 2-Up Series: Ludlow CC

The hottest day the UK has ever seen since records began saw riders keep in the shade for Round 5 of the Mower Mec 2-Up Series with just three teams braving a rare red weather warning and scorching conditions at Brimfield for the Ludlow CC 10. With a course already known for producing fast times, red hot weather is always conducive to even faster ones; and 2-Ups faster still due to the drafting effect; with a trip from Market Drayton proving well worth it for Sarah Grant and Mark Milton. With just a climb to the turn at Sheet island to hamper progress on a fabulous new surface the pair took a rare Overall and Mixed Team win in a superb time of 21 minutes 59 seconds. This fine effort lifted the pair up to the Silver medal position in the Overall standings as well as to the top of the Mixed Team table.

Reflecting on a win that saw them push Revolutions Racing pair Graeme Donnell and Andrew Lacon into the runner-up spot by 11 seconds, Grant was delighted with her trip to a favourite course: “Thrilled with the Overall win! Well done to everyone competing. I love the 2-Ups and the opportunity to go extra fast, to which I owe thanks to my super-strong partner. On the back of some practice last year we worked really well together. The Ludlow course was particularly tight on the beautifully smooth surface, and we cracked 22! Massive thanks to all clubs and volunteers for making it happen”. Milton was also pleased with the chance to compete in this pairs format, adding: “The 2-Up Series has given both Sarah and I the opportunity to enjoy competing as a team. We’ve loved it! Thank you to the clubs for all their efforts in organising the events at their respective venues. They’ve been excellent. Thank you”.

Donnell and Lacon are the reigning 2022 Series Champions and posted a fine time of 22:10, but they couldn’t do anything about the superb effort from Grant and Milton. Donnell was pleased to finally be back racing with Lacon in their first, belated appearance of the 2022 Series, but was full of praise for the winners: “Great to be back racing again with Andrew on one of our favourite courses. Congratulations to Sarah and Mark on a terrific time, and we hope to return to this fabulous competition in earnest next year. Thanks as always to the organisers and timekeepers at Ludlow CC”.

The only other team in competition were Ludlow CC’s Nicky Doherty and Neil Taylor who stopped the watch on 28:12.

Full:

Mixed Team:

Cumulative Standings after five rounds

Overall

Mixed Team

Women’s Team