R6 SB Sports Injuries Series: SCCA Autumn 10 No.1

The old course record was broken six times, equalled once and lowered three times in Round 6 of The SB Sports Injuries Series in a memorable afternoon at Cold Hatton as Juniors caused an upset. Matt Garthwaite’s 2019 record of 21 minutes 13 seconds was the tantalising carrot for a huge field of 64 riders making the most of the warm September weather – with the record instantly lowered by the first rider off the line Dan Watts with a powerful ride of 21:05.

That Watts finished 6^th in the SCCA’s first Autumn 10 shows the quality of the field taking the start, and he held that record for just seven minutes before Dean Callister lowered the bar below the 21 minute mark for the first time with an excellent 20:59. Callister finished 4^th and held the record for 7½ minutes before an audacious ride from Mid Shropshire Wheelers’ 17 year-old Ben Pierce put the record setting to bed, with a victory by a huge margin of 32 seconds thanks to an outstanding ride of 20:24.

Despite two other riders subsequently beating Garthwaite’s time they could not better Pierce’s on his debut in the 2020 SB Series – a personal best beating his previous best set in August by 39 seconds, reflecting that the youngster appears to have benefited greatly from coaching by Clee Cycles’ Dave Griffiths, a former County Best all Rounder winner. With the D10/3 reserve course running between Cold Hatton and Shawbirch in use due to road works at Peplow that record is likely to stand for a while, with Pierce coping well with the crosswind and the lumpier nature of this course. He stated: “I was pleased to get the win and shocked to break the course record. I would like to thank the organisers for holding a great event in the current Covid climate”.

Juniors seem to be getting stronger and stronger this year with 16 year-old Henri Bedford also registering a fine personal best of 20:56 to also beat the 21 minute mark for the first time and take the runner-up spot ahead of some fierce competition, showing why he has retained his SB Junior Series title and pulling out his Overall Series lead over Watts to 10 points, setting up a terrific tussle in the remaining two rounds for the title. Bedford knocked 16 seconds off his best on a day that was hardly the easiest, and was delighted with his efforts, stating: “It was good to go back on that course after not doing it last year. I shaved several minutes off my previous course record and beat my all time 10 PB by going sub-21 for the first time which I was over the moon with. Well done to Ben for winning the overall with an amazing time”.

It was a close run thing for third spot however with three riders separated by just two seconds breathing down Bedford’s neck. That third podium place went to CC Bridgnorth’s Josh Whitehead in a superb time of 20:58, pushing out Callister by a second and SCCA Private Member David Griffiths by a further second, showing how close things were at the top. Whitehead was making his debut in the SB Series and made an immediate impact. His comments show graphically how this course and conditions can affect riders but just how addictive time trialling can be: “The course is fast with only around 200ft of elevation, however it is open and exposed, and with 15mph crosswinds the race was made pretty brutal being a slog in places. Lining up at the start I felt pretty tired, with my heart rate backing that up. Despite that, I pushed on hard and got everything out myself by the time I crossed the finish line. I’m satisfied with my position and time but I’ll be back for more”.

In the Veterans there was a familiar name at the top of the standings with Nova Raiders’ Deb Hutson-Lumb taking the win from team mate Tim Beardmore by 7 seconds in +5:34. Hutson-Lumb elevated herself into 3^rd spot in the Veteran’s Championship as well as heading to the top of the SB Women’s Series for the first time thanks to her 23:58 effort, although she admitted struggling towards the end: “This is only the second time I’ve ridden the Cold Hatton – Shawbirch 10 and I’d forgotten that the last mile or so is a bit undulating. Add a headwind into the equation and it was a grovel to the finish line. That said I think it’s just as good a course as the Hodnet version with some good times on the day. Great to see Sarah Grant and Alison Dockney back out racing and both doing excellent rides. Looking forward to the next one and fingers crossed we keep the good weather”.

Hutson-Lumb’s comments referred to two riders who have been missing from the County scene with Grant riding her first race of the year and beating Hutson-Lumb to the Women’s win with an excellent 23:26, with Market Drayton CC’s Dockney taking third spot in 24:06. Grant was another rider setting a personal best – by a single second. She commented: “I was so excited to be back racing and over the moon with the result – I even managed a PB! It was tough out there in the wind. Great competition all round and a fantastic turn out, thanks so much to the organisers for putting on the racing in such a challenging year”.

Meanwhile in the Veterans Beardmore stretched his Series lead by four points after equalling Garthwaite’s old record of 21:13 to inish 7^th Overall, but suffered in the conditions, revealing: “I was hoping for a sub-21 but I went out too hard and struggled to find comfort and rhythm on the bike. The cross winds kept you focused, and the last mile or so was particularly hard. Well done too all who raced with some very close times. Thanks to all involved in organising”.

Full:

Tandem:

Veterans:

Women:

Juniors:

Cumulative Standings after six rounds

Overall

Veterans

Women’s

Juniors

Gallery of 188 images courtesy of Mark Stocks from the event taken at Eyton crossroads available for download