After six straight wins in the SB Sports Injuries Series somebody finally got the better of Series leader Bryn Davies as Matt Garthwaite put local knowledge to good use to win the Newport Shropshire CC 9.8. With road works at the Clock Tower island imminent the 21-strong field took a belated chance to try out the Newport – Hortonwood course, with Newport-based Garthwaite charging around the 9.8 mile course in 20 minutes 32 seconds. The Rhino Velo rider was looking determined as he flew down the course but thought he had more left in the tank commenting: “I thought it would be a faster night after warming up. I was satisfied with my time, but still too far from a sub-20. Thanks to the organisers“.
Davies meanwhile was getting his first sight of the course and not only took runner-up overall with a fine effort of 21:41 but helped himself to the same position in the Veteran’s with +3:56. With his nearest challenger Tim Beardmore finishing in fifth spot in the both Championships on 22:31 and +3:15 Davies added six points apiece to his lead and is the man to catch. The Hafren CC rider stated: “I was pleased with the result as it was my first time on that course. I knew I wouldn’t be troubling Matt for the win! A good course, thanks all“.
Taking third overall and in the Veterans was Mid Shropshire Wheelers’ Craig Ball, who seems to be rejuvenated after a short break. Ball was another rider with a determined look on his face as he stopped the watch on 22 minutes exactly, which when converted to Veteran’s Standard saw him just 10 seconds behind Davies in +3:46 and edging things by 20 seconds from Nova Raiders’ Andy Rose who cemented his third place overall in the Veterans on the strength of this ride. Ball commented: “I’ve had a few weeks out so very pleased with my time, it was surprisingly quick for all“.
But despite these riders doing well in the Veteran’s race there was no stopping the spectacular effort of Veteran’s winner Terry Icke. Trying out his new club’s course for the first time, the 72 year-old showed a clean pair of heels to the chasing pack with a fabulous +6:09. Icke is in unstoppable form at the moment despite assurances there is yet more to give as he explained: “I’m starting to feel better as season rolls out. My race went well for first time on this course, it was good to see so many people supporting the Series. There was a nice tail wind out, though a bit sticky on the way back, but very enjoyable. It’s nice to ride on new courses in a well organised and marshalled event“.
Despite looking as though the skies would open up under overcast cloud cover expected rain failed to materialise, and this was perhaps instrumental in a low Ladies turnout. Wrekinsport’s Tracey Billington took the opportunity to add 20 unchallenged points to her tally after ending the evening on 28:50 and she now holds an impressive 42 point lead. Despite this she was sorry at the lack of competition stating: “I was disappointed there no other SCCA ladies there. I’ve yet to find my racing legs. The wind was deceptive, and I should have pushed harder going out as only a slight headwind on return leg. A good evening for racing and the usual banter with fellow riders before and after. Thanks to Newport CC and the York’s for timekeeping the event“.
Result:
SB Sports Injuries and Physiotherapy Series – Round 8
| Pos’n | Name | Club | Time | Points |
| 1 | Matt Garthwaite | Rhino Velo RT |
20:32 |
20 |
| 2 | Bryn Davies | Hafren CC |
21:41 |
18 |
| 3 | Craig Ball | Mid Shropshire Wheelers |
22:00 |
16 |
| 4 | Matt Gibbons | Nova Raiders |
22:05 |
14 |
| 5 | Tim Beardmore | Bridgnorth CC |
22:31 |
12 |
| 6 | Ed Middleton | Nova Raiders |
22:33 |
10 |
| 7 | Andy Rose | Nova Raiders |
22:38 |
8 |
| 8 | Terry Icke | NewportShropshire CC |
22:41 |
6 |
| 9 | Dave Owen | Nova Raiders |
23:03 |
4 |
| 10 | Andy Maxwell | Nova Raiders |
23:13 |
2 |
| 11 | Mark Harrison | Nova Raiders |
23:29 |
2 |
| 12 | Jonathan Smith | Nova Raiders |
23:30 |
2 |
| 13 | Ian Laverie | Nova Raiders |
23:31 |
2 |
| 14 | Nick Pavard | Nova Raiders |
23:38 |
2 |
| 15 | Steve Elcocks | Revolutions Racing |
24:06 |
2 |
| 16 | Hollie Owens | Litchfield CC |
25:04 |
|
| 17 | Chad Bickford-Smith | Unattached |
27:02 |
|
| 18 | Alan Price | NewportShropshire CC |
27:14 |
2 |
| 19 | Tim Evans | NewportShropshire CC |
28:21 |
2 |
| 20 | Tracey Billington | Wrekinsport CC |
28:50 |
2 |
| 21 | Terry Collins | Wrekinsport CC |
38:34 |
2 |
SB Sports Injuries and Physiotherapy Veterans Series – Round 8
| Vets Pos’n | Name | Club | Vet +/- | Vets Points |
| 1 | Terry Icke | NewportShropshire CC |
+6:09 |
20 |
| 2 | Bryn Davies | Hafren CC |
+3:56 |
18 |
| 3 | Craig Ball | Mid Shropshire Wheelers |
+3:46 |
16 |
| 4 | Andy Rose | Nova Raiders |
+3:26 |
14 |
| 5 | Tim Beardmore | Bridgnorth CC |
+3:15 |
12 |
| 6 | Dave Owen | Nova Raiders |
+2:43 |
10 |
| 7 | Jonathan Smith | Nova Raiders |
+2:38 |
8 |
| 8 | Ian Laverie | Nova Raiders |
+2:28 |
6 |
| 9 | Mark Harrison | Nova Raiders |
+2:08 |
4 |
| 10 | Steve Elcocks | Revolutions Racing |
+2:07 |
2 |
| 11 | Chad Bickford-Smith | Unattached |
-0:36 |
|
| 12 | Tracey Billington | Wrekinsport CC |
-0:56 |
2 |
| 13 | Alan Price | NewportShropshire CC |
-1:10 |
2 |
| 14 | Tim Evans | NewportShropshire CC |
-2:35 |
2 |
| 15 | Terry Collins | Wrekinsport CC |
-5:58 |
2 |
SB Sports Injuries and Physiotherapy Ladies Series – Round 8
| Ladies Pos’n | Name | Club | Time | Ladies Points |
| 1 | Hollie Owens | Litchfield CC |
25:04 |
|
| 2 | Tracey Billington | Wrekinsport CC |
28:50 |
20 |
Cumulative Standings after eight rounds
Overall
| Position | Name | Club | Cat | Best 12 |
| 1 | Bryn Davies | Hafren CC | V | 146 |
| 2 | Tim Beardmore | Bridgnorth CC | V | 108 |
| 3 | Craig Ball | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | V | 70 |
| 4 | Andy Rose | Nova Raiders | V | 62 |
| 5 | Simon Harrison | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | V | 54 |
| 6 | Ed Middleton | Nova Raiders | S | 46 |
| 7 | Matt Garthwaite | Rhino Velo RT | S | 40 |
| 8 | Alex Leek | SCCA Private Member | S | 38 |
| =9 | Richard Kay | North Shropshire Wheelers | V | 36 |
| =9 | Sam Morris | Revolutions Racing | J | 36 |
Veterans
| Position | Name | Club | Cat | Best 12 |
| 1 | Bryn Davies | Hafren CC | V | 150 |
| 2 | Tim Beardmore | Bridgnorth CC | V | 116 |
| 3 | Andy Rose | Nova Raiders | V | 94 |
| 4 | Craig Ball | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | V | 70 |
| 5 | Simon Harrison | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | V | 52 |
| 6 | Jonathan Smith | Nova Raiders | V | 48 |
| 7 | Gary Duncan | Paramount CRT | V | 38 |
| =8 | Richard Kay | North Shropshire Wheelers | V | 36 |
| =8 | Rob Kennard | Revolutions Racing | V | 36 |
| 10 | Pauline Hughes | Revolutions Racing | LV | 28 |
Ladies
| Position | Name | Club | Cat | Best 12 |
| 1 | Tracey Billington | Wrekinsport CC | LV | 112 |
| 2 | Emma Robinson | Wrekinsport CC | L | 70 |
| 3 | Pauline Hughes | Revolutions Racing | LV | 60 |
| 4 | Ceris Eslava | Paramount CRT | LV | 50 |
| =5 | Helen Tudor | Oswestry Paragon CC | LV | 46 |
| =5 | Jane Chapman | Nova Raiders | LV | 46 |
| 7 | Amanda Whitmore | Revolutions Racing | LV | 34 |
| 8 | Caroline Lloyd | North Shropshire Wheelers | LV | 32 |
| 9 | Rebecca Richardson | Hafren CC | L | 20 |
| 10 | Jenny York | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | LV | 18 |
Juniors
| Position | Name | Club | Cat | Best 12 |
| 1 | Sam Morris | Revolutions Racing | J | 80 |
| 2 | Jordan Stamp | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | J | 36 |
| 3 | Kieran Morris | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | J | 20 |
| 3 | Sam Holwill | Hafren CC | J | 20 |
| 5 | Ben Vernon | Wrekinsport CC | J | 18 |
- Round 9 of the SB Sports Injuries Series takes place on 24th June when Oswestry Paragon CC promote their 19 mile event on the Queen’s Head – Gobowen – Ellesmere course at 7pm.