Nova Raiders Sporting 10

Dan Watts agonisingly missed out on taking the Course Record on the tough Cherrington – Newport out and back course as he equalled the benchmark 21 minutes 30 seconds set by his team mate Ryan Morley at the end of 2018 in Round 7 of the SB Sports Injuries Series, Nova Raiders Sporting 10. Watts was left rueing what might have been as he took the win from Series leader Chris Halford by 1:13 and narrowed the gap at the top of the Overall standings in the process.

On a course that takes no prisoners and features the 10% climb of Cheney Bank which finds any weaknesses and exploits them relentlessly Watts had that record at the front of his mind from the off. Both his post-race comments and those of Halford show the effort required, with Watts commenting: “A tough course to judge, you have to take a risk on your effort on the climbs to get the best from the course. I had a strong ride and was gutted not to take the course record off my team mate Ryan, instead I equalled it, so no bragging rights this time. I’m starting to make headway in the Series so hopefully I can keep it up“.

Halford meanwhile was his usual measured self verbally as he normally lets the bike do the talking, only stating: “A bit painful and a bit grim“! Whilst he lost a little of his advantage to Watts in the Overall standings he extended his lead in the Veteran’s category, taking the win in a Standard of 3:53, +51 seconds ahead of Ian Nisbett, who continues to tighten his grasp on the Veteran’s Silver medal position. Despite this however Nisbett was not happy with his performance in an up and down season, revealing: “I was disappointed with a sub-par effort, and miles away from last season’s form. I went out too hard and by the turn realised I was struggling for power. I did what I could on the hill and then kind of ‘survived’ to the finish. Certainly not the course you want when you’re on a bad day“!

In third place Overall Nova Raider Dean Callister was getting his first taste of his local course at racing pace and pushed Nisbett down into Overall 4th by six seconds with a fine 23:13 effort. In his first season of Shropshire events, Callister currently lies in 5th spot in the Overall Championship and is slowly reeling in team mate Ed Middleton, who finished 5th on the night in 23:49. Callister commented: “My first time on the course, I wasn’t looking forward to the grind up Cheney but ended up pacing it well, so I was happy with my overall effort. A great evening by the Nova Raiders as always, and thanks to the marshals who did a great job“.

In the Women’s Championship local knowledge paid dividends for another Nova Raider Jenny Newton as she took her first win in the 2019 Series by 11 seconds from the strong challenge of Alison Dockney thanks to a Course Personal Best. Newton hasn’t been seen at events as much in 2019 and was clearly keeping her form under wraps as she flew around the course in 26:49, with Women’s Series leader Louise Hurdley of Hafren CC taking 3rd spot on the night in 28:50. Newton however didn’t get immediately into her stride as she revealed: “It took me a while to relax and settle into a rhythm, but once I did I felt good. I paced it well up the first half of Cheney, not so much on the return! A course PB and very happy with the win. Well done to Alison and Louise, also a big thanks to all involved who make it happen“.

In the Junior Series Henri Bedford extended his Series lead to a giant 70 points in his defence of the Junior title he battled doggedly for in 2018. Bedford stopped the watch on 24:15 to claim 8th spot Overall, but his race wasn’t without its issues: “I had a bit of a nightmare as my visor blew off on the ‘out’ lap and I had to contend with the flies! Luckily it was collected and returned in one piece. Well done to the winner Dan Watts, and the other competitors and marshals“.

Result:

SB Sports Injuries and Physiotherapy Series – Round 7

Pos’n Forename Surname Club Cat Time Points
1 Dan Watts SCCA Private Member S 21:30 20
2 Chris Halford Wrekinsport CC V 22:43 18
3 Dean Callister Nova Raiders S 23:13 16
4 Ian Nisbett Hafren CC V 23:19 14
5 Ed Middleton Nova Raiders S 23:49 12
6 Ollie Atkin SCCA Private Member S 24:00 10
7 Rob Kennard Stourbridge Velo V 24:14  
8 Henri Bedford Revolutions Racing J 24:15 8
9 Graeme Donnell Nova Raiders V 24:52 6
10 Steve Chapman Nova Raiders V 25:29 4
11 Jenny Newton Nova Raiders WV 26:49 2
12 Alison Dockney SCCA Private Member W 26:58 2
13 Kerian Hackett Nova Raiders V 27:47 2
14 Louise Hurdley Hafren CC W 28:50 2
15 Tim Evans Newport Shropshire CC V 29:28 2

SB Sports Injuries and Physiotherapy Veterans Series – Round 7

Vets Pos’n Forename Surname Club Cat Vet +/- Vets Points
1 Chris Halford Wrekinsport CC V +3:53 20
2 Ian Nisbett Hafren CC V +3:02 18
3 Rob Kennard Stourbridge Velo V +2:49  
4 Jenny Newton Nova Raiders WV +2:12 16
5 Graeme Donnell Nova Raiders V +2:11 14
6 Steve Chapman Nova Raiders V +1:59 12
7 Keiran Hackett Nova Raiders V -1:40 10
8 Tim Evans Newport Shropshire CC V -2:52 8

SB Sports Injuries and Physiotherapy Women’s Series – Round 7

Women’s Pos’n Forename Surname Club Cat Time Women’s Points
1 Jenny Newton Nova Raiders WV 26:49 20
2 Alison Dockney SCCA Private Member W 26:58 18
3 Louise Hurdley Hafren CC W 28:50 16

SB Sports Injuries and Physiotherapy Junior Series – Round 7

Junior Pos’n Forename Surname Club Cat Time Junior Points
1 Henri Bedford Revolutions Racing J 24:15 20

Cumulative Standings after seven rounds

Overall

Position Name Club Cat Best 12
1 Chris Halford Wrekinsport CC V 110
2 Ian Nisbett Hafren CC V 96
3 Dan Watts SCCA Private Member S 92
4 Ed Middleton Nova Raiders S 76
5 Dean Callister Nova Raiders S 72
6 Henri Bedford Revolutions Racing J 48
7 Ollie Atkin SCCA Private Member S 46
8 Tony Harvey Mid Shropshire Wheelers V 40
9 Andy Rose Nova Raiders V 22
10 Matt Garthwaite Holohan Coaching RT S 20

Veterans

Position Name Club Cat Best 12
1 Chris Halford Wrekinsport CC V 114
2 Ian Nisbett Hafren CC V 102
3 Tony Harvey Mid Shropshire Wheelers V 62
4 Deb Hutson-Lumb Nova Raiders WV 58
5 Ian Pollard SCCA Private Member V 50
6 Andy Rose Nova Raiders V 42
6 Rich Smith Wrekinsport CC V 42
8 Graeme Donnell Nova Raiders V 34
9 Jenny Newton Nova Raiders WV 30
10 Gino Trasatti North Shropshire Wheelers V 18

Women’s

Position Name Club Cat Best 12
1 Louise Hurdley Hafren CC W 94
2 Alison Dockney SCCA Private Member W 74
3 Deb Hutson-Lumb Nova Raiders WV 58
4 Jenny Newton Nova Raiders WV 54
5 Natalie Brooks Paramount CRT W 50
6 Helen Tudor Oswestry Paragon CC WV 38
7 Bethan Till Wrekinsport CC W 28
8 Charlotte Chapman Nova Raiders W 20
9 Elaine Langley North Shropshire Wheelers WV 18
10 Jenny York Mid Shropshire Wheelers WV 16

Juniors

Position Name Club Cat Best 12
1 Henri Bedford Revolutions Racing J 116
2 Jack Young Mid Shropshire Wheelers J 46
3 Charlie Price Mid Shropshire Wheelers J 42
4 George Coombes Evolve J 30
=5 Kieran Morris SCCA Private Member J 20
=5 Sam Holwill Hafren CC J 20
=7 James Satoor Mid Shropshire Wheelers J 18
=7 Ronnie Tse Mid Shropshire Wheelers J 18