R6 Mower Mec 2-Up Series: Ludlow CC 10

The Mixed Team medals were decided after Round 6 of the Mower Mec 2-Up Series saw a fine win for the promoting club Ludlow CC as Robbie Disney and Dan Cutting took the honours by 44 seconds – despite having mismatched bikes. Conventional logic would state that both riders either need to be on dedicated time trial bikes or roads bikes, but Disney and Cutting employed a ‘mix and match’ approach which allowed the pair to work to their strengths at different points in the race and stop the watch on 21 minutes 34 seconds. Disney explained the tactics developed from riding the super fast Brimfield 10 course regularly, with the pair used to each other’s strengths: “I did it on a road bike with a disc wheel and Dan on his time trial bike. I led us out trying to get us up to speed before the fast descents past Brimfield – Dan on his time trial bike could take over and then fly down them. It was a tailwind out which really helps on that course. We were working well all the way out, and as the better climber I made sure to go on the front going up the rise to the roundabout, Dan then led going back down. I left my legs behind on the rise so the way back was difficult, but I tried to help Dan when I could and as usual gave it everything till the line. Overall I think we could’ve worked more fluid as a pair but we beat our 22:00 from last year so can’t complain”.

Disney and Cutting beat the Ludlow Brewery RT pairing of Jack Wilson and Steve Minton into runner-up spot in a still impressive 22:08 riding road bikes. Wilson seemed to have suffered rather, stating: “The 2-Up with Minto: we chose to ride road bikes, he had good legs – me, not so much”!

It was another Ludlow CC pairing taking third spot in 24:05 – although it was a last minute arrangement after Will Baugh’s chosen partner was a no show. Baugh teamed up with team mate Ian Connolly in another mismatch of bike types, and thankfully both had ridden together before, albeit a while ago. Connolly explained: “It was my first 2-Up since 2019 which I also did with Will. I didn’t plan to ride as a pair but Will’s planned partner pulled out late so we paired up. We shared the work well and were both happy with the time. I enjoyed it as it was something a bit different from the usual solo ‘Kick your own head in’ time trial efforts”. Baugh added: “Happy with how it went with a scratch pairing and a mismatch of bikes”!

In the Mixed Team competition Hafren CC pairing Jan Davies and Mark Hill took both the win and Mixed Team Gold in their first season teaming up, with Davies getting a first taste of this course. The pair crossed the line in 24:21, beating Wrekinsport CC pairing Ashley Kirkham and Vic Doran who finished in 26:58 to take Mixed Team Silver. Hill explained how the pair’s race went: “Jan’s first attempt at Ludlow. Plenty of team chat seemed to work and Jan lead off the start. A calm evening made the downhill and long straights easy, whilst up to the roundabout seemed was better as the gradient has changed through road works. We worked well together and top speed most of the return was good fun – thanks to Jan, to Ludlow CC on a great venue, and to all the other clubs putting on events this season”. Davies comments showed how much she has enjoyed the competition, adding: “Very happy with how my first season of 2-Ups has gone with partner Mark. Good competition and been able to experience new courses. Thank you to everyone who helps run these events, it’s a brilliant sport to be involved with”.

Davies wasn’t the only one to be having a first go at the 2-Up format which puts a quite different perspective on racing as riders work together and encourage each other around the course, usually at much faster speeds than they can manage solo, with Kirkham reflecting on winning Silver: “Not bad for a first stab at the 2-Up Series. I was particularly encouraging to see race on race improvements; thanks to all the organisers and to Fletch for sorting results”.

The head-to-head also firmed up Mixed Team Bronze with this the penultimate event and Oswestry Paragon pairing Vikki Jones and Adam Riley now unable to be caught. Riley stated: “We only did two rounds, but worked well as a team, pleased with our times as on road bikes – thanks to all who put the events on”.

Full:

Mixed Team:

Cumulative Standings after six rounds

Overall

Mixed Team