SB Sports Injuries Shropshire Championship 50 promoted by Mid Shropshire Wheelers

 

Victor Chetta’s Round 5 prediction came true as the close racing between himself,  Bryn Davies and Matt Gibbons saw a tight three-way scrap for the medals in the SB Sports Injuries Shropshire Championship 50 presented by Mid Shropshire Wheelers over four laps of the Prees – Whitchurch – Quina Brook circuit. Reigning 50 mile champion Chetta clung on to that Championship as the first medals of the season were handed out at Prees in Round 6 of the Friction Hydraulics Series, with the top three split by just over a minute.

 

A glorious morning saw Chetta just push Davies out by 23 seconds to stop the watch on 1 hour 55 minutes and 26 seconds to capture Gold and retain the Shropshire 50 Mile Trophy. A delighted Chetta stated: “It feels good to remain County 50 mile Champion for another year, and I enjoyed racing in the sunshine. However I was left scratching my head somewhat as to why my increased power output didn’t equate to more speed on the day, so my aerodynamics may need addressing. I was impressed by Matt and Bryn’s substantial improvements over this distance“.

 

Chetta had reason to be impressed as the Silver and Bronze medallists both set new personal bests and dipped under the magical two hour mark for the first time after both averaged over 25mph. Davies’ time of 1:55:49 was just 23 seconds off Gold, though he had good incentive to power on with Chetta closely following in the starting order. The Hafren CC rider commented: “It was a great day for it, we couldn’t have asked for better. I was really pleased with my time, my aim was to try and get under the two hour mark and not to get caught by Victor who was starting only 5 minutes behind me. I was still sporting a sprained ankle and I wasted time on the first lap sorting out my water bottle. I eventually got down to work and paced my ride well, pushing myself hard to the finish to surprise myself with a new Personal Best nearly 5 minutes quicker than last year on the same course only 23 seconds behind Victor, who deservedly retains the 50 Championship Trophy, with Matt putting in a strong ride coming in a close third spot“.

 

Gibbons was indeed close, posting a superb 1:56:40 to capture Overall Bronze – as well as lead his club Nova raiders to Team Gold with excellent backup from Ed Middleton and Paul Carroll for a combined time of 6:21:42, a huge 29:25 ahead of the nearest competition. Gibbons was satisfied with his efforts, stating: “I felt strong until the final lap and then I was just hanging on. Well done to Victor and Bryn on good rides. I was pleased with Bronze, and for taking the team win with Ed and Paul. Another well organised and marshalled event from Mid Shropshire Wheelers“.

 

Middleton, who finish 6th in 2:05:50 revealed that Nova Raiders had turned up with a pre-race plan and had executed it effectively: “The aim was to go for the Team Gold, so we were happy we pulled it off. Well done to everyone who rode, and thanks to Mid Shropshire Wheelers for hosting another great event“! Carroll added: “Perfect conditions on a fast course and some super strong team mates. My race went perfectly to plan“!

 

When the age-related standards were applied Chetta’s and Davies’ positions were reversed in the Veteran’s Championship, with Davies taking Gold and the Jim Heath Trophy with a fine +21:37 and Chetta settling for the Silver in +20:09. But it was another Hafren CC rider who surprised himself by taking Veteran’s Bronze, with Ian Nisbett posting +19:00 and beating the two hour barrier at his first attempt. Nisbett was one of only four riders to beat two hours, with an excellent actual time of 1:58:52 – and revealed it was all thanks to his training regime: “It was my first attempt at a 50, so I was a little unsure of how hard to go on the pacing. I’ve done a few 40-50 mile training rides so I stuck to a similar power strategy and it worked out nicely on the day. My lap times and speed were very consistent, and my third and fourth laps were faster than laps one and two so the steady start paid off. I was very pleased with a sub-two hour ride“.

 

Things were close in the Women’s Championship too with Mid Shropshire Wheelers’ Jenny York taking Gold and the Women’s 50 mile Trophy with an excellent ride of 2:24:08 – though she knew she had been in a scrap with Helen Tudor who won Silver: “I was pleased with the win, I knew it would be a close call with Helen though so I had to push hard! A great course and great weather again“! Oswestry Paragon’s Tudor stopped the watch on 2:26:39, with the longer distances suiting her style. She stated: “I was pleased to take Silver, well done to Jenny on taking the Gold. Thanks to all the Mid Shropshire Wheelers’ members involved in putting the event on“.

 

Meanwhile it was a close call for the Bronze medal with York’s team mate Juliet Suddaby taking that medal by 50 seconds from Wrekinsport’s Vicki Bale, who was riding her first time trial of the season. Suddaby worked hard for her medal, setting a fine personal best 2:28:49 in the process. She stated: “I was super happy with my result. The sun was out and my legs felt good – the perfect recipe! I was slightly ahead of my target time per loop until the last lap when the wind seemed to have picked up and I was starting to tire. Hearing cheers of encouragement around the course kept me on track, and I managed to keep my legs working as hard as they could and achieve my target of a Personal Best“.

 

Result

 

Friction and Hydraulic Services Shropshire Championship Points Series – Round 6

 

Pos’n Name Club Cat Time Points
1 Victor Chetta SCCA Private Member V 1:55:26 70
2 Bryn Davies Hafren CC V 1:55:49 65
3 Matt Gibbons Nova Raiders S 1:56:40 60
4 Ian Nisbett Hafren CC V 1:58:52 55
5 Jonathan Goh Paramount CRT V 2:00:36 50
6 Ed Middleton Nova Raiders S 2:05:50 45
7 William Baugh Ludlow CC V 2:06:39 40
8 Adam Mumford Wrekinsport CC S 2:06:44 35
9 Richard Collins Mid Shropshire Wheelers V 2:11:13 30
10 Tim O’Donnell Revolutions Racing S 2:11:38 25
11 Dave Mawhinney Mid Shropshire Wheelers V 2:15:46 20
12 David Drew North Shropshire Wheelers V 2:16:12 15
13 Paul Carroll Nova Raiders V 2:19:12 10
14 Jenny York Mid Shropshire Wheelers WV 2:24:08 10
15 Helen Tudor Oswestry Paragon CC WV 2:26:37 10
16 Les Boughey North Shropshire Wheelers V 2:28:15 10
17 Juliet Suddaby Mid Shropshire Wheelers WV 2:28:49 10
18 Vicki Bale Wrekinsport CC WV 2:29:39 10
19 Bob Elliott Wrekinsport CC V 2:30:04 10
20 Sarah Mawhinney Mid Shropshire Wheelers WV 2:44:22 10
  Mark Musgrove North Shropshire Wheelers S DNF  
  Rebecca Richardson Hafren CC W DNS-A  

 

Friction and Hydraulic Services Veterans Championship – Round 6

 

Vets Pos’n Name Club Cat Vets +/- Vets Points
1 Bryn Davies Hafren CC V +21:37 70
2 Victor Chetta SCCA Private Member V +20:09 65
3 Ian Nisbett Hafren CC V +19:00 60
4 Jonathan Goh Paramount CRT V +14:59 55
5 William Baugh Ludlow CC V +13:21 50
6 David Drew North Shropshire Wheelers V +10:54 45
7 Richard Collins Mid Shropshire Wheelers V +08:21 40
8 Dave Mawhinney Mid Shropshire Wheelers V +08:08 35
9 Vicki Bale Wrekinsport CC WV +05:13 30
10 Helen Tudor Oswestry Paragon CC WV +04:06 25
11 Juliet Suddaby Mid Shropshire Wheelers WV +02:23 20
12 Jenny York Mid Shropshire Wheelers WV +00:57 15
13 Bob Elliott Wrekinsport CC V +00:18 10
14 Paul Carroll Nova Raiders V -03:08 10
15 Les Boughey North Shropshire Wheelers V -05:56 10
16 Sarah Mawhinney Mid Shropshire Wheelers WV -22:33 10

 

Friction and Hydraulic Services Women’s Championship – Round 6

 

Women’s Pos’n Name Club Cat Time Women’s Points
1 Jenny York Mid Shropshire Wheelers WV 2:24:08 70
2 Helen Tudor Oswestry Paragon CC WV 2:26:37 65
3 Juliet Suddaby Mid Shropshire Wheelers WV 2:28:49 60
4 Vicki Bale Wrekinsport CC WV 2:29:39 55
5 Sarah Mawhinney Mid Shropshire Wheelers WV 2:44:22 50
  Rebecca Richardson Hafren CC W DNS-A  

 

Team Championship

 

Gold: Nova Raiders (Matt Gibbons, Ed Middleton, Paul Carroll) 6:21:42

 

Top Club Award – Round 6

 

Pos’n Club Points
1 Hafren CC 120
2 Nova Raiders 115
3 Mid Shropshire Wheelers 80
4 SCCA Private Member 70
5 Wrekinsport CC 55
6 Paramount CRT 50
7 Ludlow CC 40
=8 North Shropshire Wheelers 25
=8 Revolutions Racing 25
10 Oswestry Paragon CC 10

 

Cumulative Standings after six rounds

 

Friction and Hydraulic Services Shropshire Championship Points Series

 

Position Name Club Cat Best 12
1 Matt Gibbons Nova Raiders S 305
2 Ian Nisbett Hafren CC V 190
3 Victor Chetta SCCA Private Member V 185
=4 Alex Leek SCCA Private Member S 160
=4 Ed Middleton Nova Raiders S 160
6 William Baugh Ludlow CC V 155
7 Bryn Davies Hafren CC V 145
8 Matt Garthwaite SCCA Private Member S 120
=9 Adam Mumford Wrekinsport CC S 95
=9 Richard Kay North Shropshire Wheelers V 95

 

Friction and Hydraulic Services Veterans Championship

 

Vets Pos’n Name Club Best 12
1 William Baugh Ludlow CC 245
2 Ian Nisbett Hafren CC 215
3 Victor Chetta SCCA Private Member 180
4 Bryn Davies Hafren CC 170
5 Dave Wilson North Shropshire Wheelers 135
6 Jenny York Mid Shropshire Wheelers 130
7 Gary Walters Ludlow Brewery RT 105
8 Richard Kay North Shropshire Wheelers 95
9 David Drew North Shropshire Wheelers 90
10 Helen Tudor Oswestry Paragon CC 80

 

Friction and Hydraulic Services Women’s Championship

 

Women’s Pos’n Name Club Best 12
1 Jenny York Mid Shropshire Wheelers 230
2 Jenny Newton Nova Raiders 215
3 Juliet Suddaby Mid Shropshire Wheelers 190
4 Helen Tudor Oswestry Paragon CC 165
5 Rebecca Richardson Hafren CC 120
6 Charlotte Chapman Nova Raiders 115
7 Sarah Mawhinney Mid Shropshire Wheelers 85
8 Emma Serjeant Hafren CC 60
=9 Debbie Hutson-Lumb Nova Raiders 55
=9 Vicki Bale Wrekinsport CC 55

 

Friction and Hydraulic Services Junior Championship

 

Junior Pos’n Name Club Best 12
=1 Jack Young Mid Shropshire Wheelers 60
=1 Kieran Morris Oswestry Paragon CC 60
3 William Hints Ludlow Brewery RT 55

 

Top Club Award

 

Position Club Total Points
1 Nova Raiders 695
2 SCCA Private Members 550
3 Hafren CC 395
4 North Shropshire Wheelers 235
5 Wrekinsport CC 220
6 Ludlow Brewery RT 205
7 Mid Shropshire Wheelers 175
8 Ludlow CC 165
9 Revolutions Racing 140
10 Oswestry Paragon CC 65
11 Paramount CRT 55
12 Newport Shropshire CC 25
13 Clee Cycles 5

 

  • The original Round 7, SCCA/WCCTA 30 was due to run this Sunday but road works on the A49 mean that it has been postponed. The event is provisionally rescheduled for 16th September.
  • The next event in the Friction Hydraulics Series takes place on 6th June when Hafren CC promote their 25 mile race on the fast Berriew – Four Crosses course.