SB Sports Injuries Series R16: SCCA Autumn 10 No.3

With the previous week’s second SCCA Autumn 10 cancelled due to appalling weather, standing water and significant mud on the course; this was a last chance to test over 10 miles in 2025 and saw all the outstanding medals resolved in Round 16 of the SB Sports Injuries Series. Held on the Waters Upton – Hodnet course, riders and officials had to endure rain at the start whilst the turn was dry – with Tomos Hales taking both the win on the day and retaining the SB Series Championship at the last gasp. Hales crossed the finish line in 21 minutes 33 seconds to finally see off a season-long challenge from Jonathan Mills-Keeling. Hales stated: “Glad to take the win and wrap up the SB Series; it was a tough last five miles off the roundabout into the headwind. However I’m glad to leave the time trial bike now until next season. I was happy to take the trophy as it has been a good battle with Jon, as always. Thanks for all the clubs that’s held an event; I do think this Series has some of the best courses in the county”.

Mills-Keeling didn’t go home empty handed, winning the overall Silver medal with an actual 22:05, and SB Veterans Series Gold in +4:52 in another closely-fought season – exactly the same as in 2024, showing great consistency, in a repeat of that year’s 1-2-3, with Hayley Wells already having sealed the Bronze in Round 14. As the Aerologic rider pulled the curtain down on racing for 2025 he commented: “My final race of the season; it’s been a long and great one. I was happy to take second behind Tomos, and also delighted to take Veterans Gold and overall Silver. Thanks to all involved throughout the year; I’m looking forward to next season already”.

Sometimes an equipment change can make all the difference, and that certainly seemed to be the case for Wrekinsport’s Adam Mumford as he took his highest placing of the 2025 Series thanks to changing from oval chain rings back to round ones. Whilst oval rings are designed to promote pedalling efficiency, they are more suited to uphill or long distances, helping to smooth the pedal stroke. Over the flattest 10 mile course in Shropshire however, round rings helped Mumford to 3^rd, exactly a minute back from Mills-Keeling in 23:05: “I was pleased with 3rd on the day; a good way to wrap up the year. My first time back on round chain rings in years; it felt good and I managed to pace the effort well. Special thanks to the timekeepers and marshals in that cold rain at the start”.

With Wells having also sewn up the Female Series, the final two Female medals went to Hafren CC’s Jan Davies, and Oswestry Paragon’s Helen Tudor. Davies helped herself to Silver thanks to her 25:27 effort. In a season of improvement Davies was happy with taking that medal, stating: “I am really pleased to have taken the Silver position in this year’s Series. It has been an enjoyable and rewarding experience, and I am especially happy to have achieved some personal bests after finally getting used to a new bike. The Series has been both motivating and encouraging, and I have thoroughly enjoyed taking part throughout. I am already looking forward to next year’s events, and I hope that more females will be encouraged to enter, as it is such a friendly and supportive sport. I would also like to say a huge thank you to everyone who works hard behind the scenes to make the Series happen. We as riders have the easy job of turning up and racing, but it’s the organisers, volunteers, and supporters who make it all possible”.

Tudor by her own admission has not had the best of seasons, having a long time out due to shingles – and then having a bad reaction on race day to antibiotics which saw the return of a rash which made her feel decidedly lacklustre. However, determination to get one final event in at the season close saw her post 28:25, which is well off her best, but she did enough to take the Bronze, commenting: “I didn’t get to ride as many SB Series events as planned, so pleased to take Bronze. Well done to Hayley and Jan; both have improved this year – thanks to all the clubs who put events on and all who helped out”.

Wells’ father Colin had already taken Road Bike Gold, but added Veterans Bronze to his tally, with John Westhead helping himself to Silver. Wells was shocked to have learnt of that extra medal, stating: “I’ve had a very enjoyable season riding the events on a road bike, it’s definitely more comfortable; and to come away with Road Bike Gold has been amazing. However, to get Veterans Bronze is also very surprising as I know I can’t compete with the fast veterans. Thanking everyone involved in organising and the friendliness of other competitors”.

Westhead made an immediate impact in his first season of SB Series competition, and had a goal of winning a medal – a big success at first attempt. He graphically described what he got from the season, and the sheer variety of racing going on in Shropshire: “It was the first time I had entered the SB Series, and my aim was to try to get a Veterans medal, so I was very pleased to get Silver. I knew that I was never going to beat Jonathan; provided he rode enough events, as he was way ahead of me and always beat me on age adjusted time. I quite enjoyed riding the events of other clubs, and it made me more aware of how many club time trials there are around the county each week of the summer. The Series even got me riding hilly events, which I wouldn’t normally contemplate. There were times, when I didn’t really fancy racing because of the weather or the course, but because I wanted to get in 12 events it forced me to ride and I often enjoyed the events once I made the effort – many thanks to Dave Fletcher for all the coordination and the reports; and all the organisers and volunteers who made the Series possible”.

Wells’ comments reflect the uptake of riders due to the new class who had never previously thought of racing, or who have switched from time trial bikes. One of those was Wrekinsport’s Rich Smith, who has ridden the entire season on his road bike. This saw him take Road Bike Bronze at the last after finishing runner-up on the day in a handicap 23:58, 30 seconds behind Richard Simpson. Smith’s comments echoed Westhead’s: “I’ve dipped in and out of the SB Series this season, so this came as a lovely surprise. We are lucky to have such a full calendar of events in Shropshire, so thanks once again to the usual suspects for doing all the hard work. Looking forward to 2026 already”!

Simpson was a late starter in the Series, only entering initially in Round 14 and making it two wins out of two races, showing his potential for 2026. He posted a new personal best for his efforts, stating: “I was definitely in the zone for that one, I really enjoyed it. Great to get a new personal best too as well as the Road Bike win”.

That left one final medal to be claimed, and it went to Newport Shropshire CC Junior Ben Bramford-Hale, winning SB Junior Gold. Bramford-Hale has had a rapidly improving season, stepping up in distance from 10 miles and doing well after stretching himself. He commented: “Really happy to round off the season by taking Junior overall in the SB Series. It’s been a season of learning and pushing myself to get stronger with every ride. The weekly racing has been brilliant; and massive thanks for putting on such a well-run Series. I’m proud to come away with the Junior title; and excited to keep building from here”.

Full:

Veterans:

Females:

Road Bikes:

Final Cumulative Standings after sixteen rounds

Overall:

Veterans:

Females:

Road Bikes:

Juniors: