Shropshire Cycling Clubs Association Spring 10 No.3

A sunny day with ‘float’ conditions brought out a good field of 31 riders for Round 3 of The SB Sports Injuries Series, the Shropshire Cycling Clubs Association Spring 10 No.3. Held on the Waters Upton – Hodnet course, Tomos Hales took the win in 21 minutes 6 seconds to extend his lead at the top of the SB Series standings to 24 points in a solid defence by the reigning champion. Hales had his eye on the following morning’s Mid Shropshire Wheelers’ 25 and tried to reign himself in, but the urge to make the best of superb conditions nearly got the best of him, as he explained: “A really quick day for a 10 mile time trial. The temptation was there to push hard, but I had to hold some back for the Battlefield time trial the next day. I should have really been in the 20’s time wise, but sure I will have other opportunities later in the year to do that. I do really enjoy these 10 Mile time trials in the spring as they set you up well for the year – thanks Paramount for hosting, and everyone that helped on these events”!

Hales’ nearest challenger was Wrekinsport team mate Chris Halford, who is getting back into time trialling after time away due to health reasons, lifting himself into both Overall and Veterans silver medal position on the strength of a brace of runner-up spots – on actual to Hales with 21:30, and on Veterans Standard to Deb Hutson-Lumb with +5:27. Halford is showing the sort of form that made him Wrekinsport’s top racer a few seasons ago, but as normal his post-race comments were succinct: “It felt very surreal riding with the strange yellow object in the sky”!

Halford took the maximum 20 points in the Veterans competition after Hutson-Lumb forgot to affiliate to the SCCA pre-race in her first 10 of the season with a superb +6:21, an omission since corrected. She also lost out in the Female Championship, taking the runner-up spot with 23:25. She commented: “My first 10 of the season and I was pleased with my time, although not helped by a descending saddle which ended up being nearly 2cm lower. A good day for it; thank you to everyone involved in organising”.

Rounding off the podium in both Overall and Veteran’s standings was Jonathan Mills-Keeling, just eight seconds behind Halford on actual in 21:38 and 16 seconds behind when the age-related Standard had been applied in the Veterans with +5:13. This elevated the Aerologic rider to third in the Overall standings and tying for second with Halford in the Veteran’s competition. He stated: “The last of the spring 10’s, a faster week but my power was down on the previous week – thanks to Paramount for putting it on”.

Hutson-Lumb was 55 seconds behind Hayley Wells, who made it three wins out of three in a strong defence of her SB Female Championship, extending her lead to 10 points with an excellent 22:30 to take 7^th place Overall – and would have made 5^th but for a solitary second. Like Hales, Wells couldn’t resist the lure of the favourable conditions, as she explained: “I couldn’t help but take advantage of a quick day with minimal wind. I was able to hold some good power and felt comfortable in position. I surprised myself with the time when I crossed the line! Many thanks to Paramount for the great organisation”!

In the Road Bike Championship a visitor took Overall spoils as one of five Fibrax Fenwicks Wrexham riders, Adam Morris crossed the line in 22:29 despite having a slow start to his season. Morris stated: “It was my first 10 mile time trial, and having not done any racing of any sort this year I wasn’t quite sure how it would go. I had a rough plan, but got to the turnaround point around a minute faster than I expected, so knew I was on for a decent time. Overall I was happy with the ride and will hopefully be back for more time trials in the future”.

County honours were taken by Newport Shropshire CC’s George Coombes, already having a great early season as he crossed the line in 23:36 and moved up to second in the SB Road Bike standings as a result. He commented: “I was very happy with getting well under 24 minutes on the road bike, although conditions were very favourable compared to a fortnight ago, but I was still pleased with the time”. Moving into the lead of the Road Bike standings was Wells’ father Colin, showing that cycling ability runs in the family after taking 4^th spot on the day in an age and gender handicapped 25:36.

Result:

Veterans

Females:

Road Bikes:

Cumulative Standings after three rounds

Overall

Veterans

Females

Road Bikes