Tim Beardmore took a maiden win for the season in atrocious conditions at Waters Upton to top off a successful season and put himself into prime position to win both Overall and Veteran’s Bronze medals in the SB Sports Injuries Series – as the destinations of four more County medals were settled and Personal Bests were registered. The Nova Raider battled the elements to stop the watch on 22 minutes 55 seconds on a cold, wet afternoon in Round 15, the SCCA’s second Autumn 10. Beardmore beat team mate Scott Harris into runner-up spot by 22 seconds overall and by 18 seconds after the age-related Veteran’s Standards were applied,  registering a fine +3:28 to win that event too.

Beardmore took some good-natured ribbing from his team mates about that win, which he was delighted to get to round off his season – but as he revealed in his post-race comments disaster nearly struck: “I’m pleased and surprised to get the win in difficult wet conditions. I paced it well, I went easy on the ‘out’ leg and emptied the tank into the wind on the return. My race wasn’t without incident though. There was a dreadful hissing sound as my front wheel punctured over the Peplow pavé on the out leg, but thankfully the tyre sealant worked – although it was down to 40psi when I checked it after! Thanks as ever to the timekeepers, marshals and organisers“.

Those organisers were worried that the event might have to be cancelled due to standing water and significant spray on the course, but thankfully conditions improved enough to allow the race to take place.

Harris’ 23:17 effort put him in prime position to capture Overall Silver in the final round with a 16 point advantage over Beardmore who currently lies in the Bronze position but needs to ensure he does enough to fend off the attentions of Dan Watts and Stuart Proctor who are 10 points behind. Harris did however seal one medal on the afternoon, with his Veteran’s runner-up spot ensuring he won Silver with his +3:10 standard. Meanwhile Beardmore will battle it out for Veteran’s Bronze in the final round with Pauline Hughes and Stuart Proctor just six points behind as Hughes moved up to equal 4th after agonisingly finishing just four seconds behind Harris on +3:06.

Harris was happy with his medal but not with his ride as he suffered in the cold: “I’m pleased with Veteran’s Silver but not pleased with the slowest time of the season on that course for me. Well done to Tim, and thanks to the marshals and timekeepers for doing a great job in poor conditions“.

One rider ending his season with a liberal soaking was Alex Leek, who finished a creditable third on the day after crossing the line in 23:25. Leek was definitely feeling the season in his legs as he revealed: “I’m happy with third, a good way to finish my season as I struggle a bit when the weather gets cold, I’m ready for a break now. Well done to Tim on the win, and a big thanks to the marshals, timekeepers and helpers for braving the weather so we could race“.

Those poor conditions didn’t seem to affect the younger riders in the field with two of them lowering their personal bests, not least Revolutions Racing’s Henri Bedford slicing a giant 1:25 off his previous week’s time which itself was a personal best. The 13 year-old wasn’t finished there either, stunning more experienced riders by taking 4th spot overall in 23:35. Bedford punched the air as he crossed the line, elated at his efforts, echoed in his comments: “Difficult conditions, so I was delighted to smash my PB. Massive congratulations to Jack for beating his too“!

Bedford’s comments referred to Junior Series leader Jack Young who was doing his utmost to keep hold of his Junior Series lead. The 16 points he added to his tally thanks to his 25:51 ride mean that the 13 year-old Mid Shropshire Wheeler is all but technically assured of the SB Junior Championship, just needing to finish in Round 16 to seal Gold. This has been the most open of the Championships, with Sam Morris and Tyler Brennan joining Young and Bedford as potential medal winners. Young was also delighted with a big personal best, stating: “I felt good all the way around. I’m glad I  got a 25:51, that is what I aimed for this season“.

Whilst the Junior Series is all to play for the Women’s Series was settled – although Series winner Pauline Hughes had to settle for the runner-up spot on the day. Coping best with the foul conditions was Hafren CC’s Emma Serjeant, who took the win in 26:04, four seconds ahead of Hughes. Serjeant was a late starter in the Series but has added an extra dimension to the competition. Despite her soaking she was glad to see the benefits of training coming to fruition: “I’m so happy with a win, my training is paying off! The awful conditions were definitely character building“!

Hughes meanwhile added another medal to a glittering season, showing consistency throughout. She added: “I’m really pleased with the Ladies Series win. I have had a brilliant season and couldn’t be happier. Not my best performance though – I’m definitely ready for a rest! Congratulations to Emma on the win, it’s good to see more ladies competing. It’s been hard work, but I’ve loved it“!

Two other women braved the drenching to ensure their County medals, with another Nova Raider Jenny Newton’s 3rd on the day 26:43 meant she took Silver whilst Helen Tudor’s 26:56 gave her the points need for Bronze. Newton stated: “I’m very happy to confirm Silver despite it not being my best performance. I’ve really enjoyed the season and it’s great to have new female competition“. Tudor added: “I’m pleased to take Bronze on a tough day, the weather conditions weren’t good. Thanks to all who have helped put on events this year“.

Results:

SB Sports Injuries and Physiotherapy Series – Round 15

 

Pos’n Name Club Cat Time Points
1 Tim Beardmore Nova Raiders V 22:55 20
2 Scott Harris Nova Raiders V 23:17 18
3 Alex Leek SCCA Private Member S 23:25 16
4 Henri Bedford Revolutions Racing J 23:35 14
5 Ben Pierce Mid Shropshire Wheelers J 23:45 12
6 Andy Rose Nova Raiders V 24:10 10
7 Conrad Taylor Hafren CC S 24:48 8
8 Andy Maxwell Nova Raiders S 24:51 6
9 Jack Young Mid Shropshire Wheelers J 25:51 4
10 Emma Serjeant Hafren CC W 26:04 2
11 Pauline Hughes Revolutions Racing WV 26:08 2
12 Dave Fanning Clwb Beicio’R Bala V 26:31  
13 Jenny Newton Nova Raiders WV 26:43 2
14 Graeme Downey Walsall Roads Club S 26:45  
15 Helen Tudor Oswestry Paragon CC WV 26:56 2
16 Louise Downward Hafren CC W 27:19 2
17 John Rowlands Wrekinsport CC V 29:50 2
18 Ron Perks Wrekinsport CC V 31:47 2

 

SB Sports Injuries and Physiotherapy Veterans Series – Round 15

 

Vets Pos’n Name Club Cat Vet +/- Vets Points
1 Tim Beardmore Nova Raiders V +3:28 20
2 Scott Harris Nova Raiders V +3:10 18
3 Pauline Hughes Revolutions Racing WV +3:06 16
4 Andy Rose Nova Raiders V +2:31 14
5 Jenny Newton Nova Raiders WV +1:56 12
6 Helen Tudor Oswestry Paragon CC WV +1:47 10
7 Dave Fanning Clwb Beicio’R Bala V +0:19  
8 Ron Perks Wrekinsport CC V -0:49 8
9 John Rowlands Wrekinsport CC V -0:58 6

 

SB Sports Injuries and Physiotherapy Women’s Series – Round 15

 

Women’s Pos’n Name Club Cat Time Women’s Points
1 Emma Serjeant Hafren CC W 26:04 20
2 Pauline Hughes Revolutions Racing WV 26:08 18
3 Jenny Newton Nova Raiders WV 26:43 16
4 Helen Tudor Oswestry Paragon CC WV 26:56 14
5 Louise Downward Hafren CC W 27:19 12

 

SB Sports Injuries and Physiotherapy Juniors Series – Round 15

 

Juniors Pos’n Name Club Cat Time Junior Points
1 Henri Bedford Revolutions Racing J 23:35 20
2 Ben Pierce Mid Shropshire Wheelers J 23:45 18
3 Jack Young Mid Shropshire Wheelers J 25:51 16

 

Cumulative Standings after fifteen rounds

 

Overall

 

Position Name Club Cat Best 12
1 Bryn Davies Hafren CC V 222
2 Scott Harris Nova Raiders V 150
3 Tim Beardmore Nova Raiders V 134
=4 Dan Watts SCCA Private Member S 124
=4 Stuart Proctor Revolutions Racing V 124
6 Matt Gibbons Nova Raiders S 110
7 Alex Leek SCCA Private Member S 82
8 Victor Chetta Mid Shropshire Wheelers S 54
9 Andy Rose Nova Raiders V 44
10 Andy Maxwell Nova Raiders S 42

 

Veterans

 

Position Name Club Cat Best 12
1 Bryn Davies Hafren CC V 228
2 Scott Harris Nova Raiders V 180
3 Tim Beardmore Nova Raiders V 156
=4 Pauline Hughes Revolutions Racing WV 150
=4 Stuart Proctor Revolutions Racing V 150
6 Andy Rose Nova Raiders V 58
7 David Wilson North Shropshire Wheelers V 56
8 Jenny Newton Nova Raiders WV 42
9 Andy Hazell Mid Shropshire Wheelers V 38
10 Richard Kay North Shropshire Wheelers V 36

 

Women’s

 

Position Name Club Cat Best 12
1 Pauline Hughes Revolutions Racing WV 214
2 Jenny Newton Nova Raiders WV 172
3 Helen Tudor Oswestry Paragon CC WV 132
4 Emma Serjeant Hafren CC W 62
5 Emma Robinson Wrekinsport CC W 50
6 Jane Chapman Nova Raiders WV 42
7 Becky Lewis Mid Shropshire Wheelers W 40
8 Louise Downward Hafren CC W 38
9 Hollie Owens SCCA Private Member WJ 36
10 Louise Woodvine Paramount CRT W 26

 

Juniors

 

Position Name Club Cat Best 12
1 Jack Young Mid Shropshire Wheelers J 80
2 Henri Bedford Revolutions Racing J 60
3 Sam Morris Revolutions Racing J 58
4 Tyler Brennan Hafren CC J 40
5 Ben Pierce Mid Shropshire Wheelers J 36
6 Hollie Owens SCCA Private Member WJ 34
=7 Kieran Morris Mid Shropshire Wheelers J 20
=7 William Hints Ludlow CC J 20
9 Daphne Jones Mid Shropshire Wheelers WJ 14

 

  • The 16th and final deciding round of the SB Sports Injuries Series takes place at 3pm this Saturday at Waters Upton. All riders are welcome and do not have to belong to a club for this Come and Try It event.
  • There’s a video of Round 15 on You Tube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cuj_kQsUOfI