R7 SB Sports Injuries Series North Shropshire Wheelers 25

The first bonus point round of the SB Sports Injuries Series saw Dean Callister take the plaudits in Round 7, North Shropshire Wheelers Battlefield 25. Held on the tough, rolling Prees – Battlefield course entirely on the A49 Callister took the maximum 26 points available with a dominant performance that saw the Nova Raider take victory by nearly four minutes in a fabulous time of 54 minutes 37 seconds. This moved Callister up to within two points off the Series lead as he closed the gap to Series leader Henri Bedford on a fine evening. Anything under the hour on this sporting course is a real plus, and Callister was pleased with his effort, stating: “A nice evening of racing with the weather, although I expected the event to be a bit more popular. The course had low traffic which was nice. A great tail wind on the way out, but very tough in places on the return. I’m happy with my time on the night – thanks to North Shropshire Wheelers for putting the event on”.

Callister’s comments referred to the turn out, with just a dozen riders trying their skills out on a hard course, with Callister’s team mate Mark Pritchard making it a Nova Raiders’ 1-2. Pritchard lifted himself into the Top 10 on the strength of his 58:26 ride; one of only three riders to dip below the hour, with Market Drayton CC’s Phil Birch taking the remaining podium spot in 59:26. Pritchard’s post-race comments echoed Callister’s sentiments: “A great night for racing, the weather was perfect and the roads were quiet. This was my first ‘25’ of the season so I was happy to pick up second place within the small field of riders and was happy with my time – thanks all involved with the running of the event”.

In the SB Veterans Series North Shropshire Wheelers took a home victory with 71 year-old Gino Trasatti scoring a fine win in +10:24, seeing off the attentions of another Nova Raider, Andy Rose by +1:52. Trasatti moved up to fourth in the Veterans Championship thanks to his actual time of 1:04:28 and a positional amendment seemed to pay dividends: “I always enjoy the challenge of this course. This was my first race with my new tri bars which helped my aerodynamic position and I managed to improve my time by over a minute on last year, which I’m very happy with. There was a bit of headwind on the return leg but no rain – a big thank you to everyone for all their hard work to make these events possible”. Rose added: “Not my favourite course but I gave it my all to try and get under the hour and ended up just 10 seconds off this time. Overall I was pleased with a course personal best, hopefully sub-hour next time – thanks to North Shropshire Wheelers for putting on a good event”.

It was a straight head-to-head between Nova Raiders in the SB Women’s Championship with Series leader Marie Llewellyn surprised by a strong challenge from Jenny Newton, who won the day in 1:08:52, 2:16 ahead of Llewellyn who still consolidated her overall Series lead. Newton moved up into the Silver medal position thanks to her ride, although she seemed not to have endured rather than enjoyed her evening’s sport, stating: “It was really tough, I didn’t like one second of it – except the finish line! It took some mental chat to keep going, but it was all made worthwhile for a course personal best and the win – thank you to all involved”.

Full result:

Veterans:

Women:

Cumulative Standings after seven rounds

Overall

Veterans

Women

Juniors