Ludlow CC 10

The Series leaders were in for a big shock in round 6 of the Coaching Revolutions 2-Up Series as glorious conditions brought out a huge – and strong – turnout for the Ludlow CC 10. Thirty teams of two were in competition on a red hot evening, a Series record that sent organisers scrambling for race numbers to cope with demand on the popular Brimfield – Ludlow by-pass course.

Won overall by the Wyre Forest CRC pairing of Steve Vanes and Jon Howard in a fabulous time of 19 minutes and 50 seconds, County honours went to the first-time pairing of Stuart Glover and Matt Davies, with Davies knowing the course like the back of his hand after setting the solo course record of 19:45 just 10 days earlier. Working well with Glover, the Rhino Velo pairing took the maximum 20 points on offer with an excellent time of 20:06, with Glover commenting: “Not bad considering it was my first-ever 2-Up“!

Davies and Glover were getting in practice for the upcoming Coaching Revolutions Shropshire 4-Up Championship, taking place in early August, with the County runners-up also having precisely the same idea. Kirk Vickers and Matt Garthwaite came close to their team mates, just being pushed out by four seconds after finishing in 20:10. Vickers was delighted with that result, commenting: “Good preparation, and just four 4 seconds behind our team mates means a well matched team for the 4-Up“.

Local knowledge of the climb to Sheet island aided the next team, with Ludlow Brewery RT riders Steve Minton and Simon Ward forming a first-time partnership – though with a few issues adapting to each other’s style. Ward and Minton just got the better of series leaders Bryn Davies and Pete Thomas by three seconds with their 20:47 effort, with this the first time Davies and Thomas have failed to capture maximum points this season showing the strength of the field.

Ward revealed: “Steve and I were riding the 2-Up together as a first outing as a pair. Although pretty evenly matched on solo events I think we both struggled with each other’s different pacing. We were both happy enough with our time on such a hot night against such a good quality field, but like all cyclists at every level wanted to go quicker. Look forward to the next one“. Minton added an ominous note to other riders stating: “A first-time partnership with my team mate Simon Ward – and we think we can go faster! We will have a go at this Series next season“.

Taking the County Ladies win were Nova Raiders’ pairing of Jenny Newton and Jane Chapman, who set a huge personal best of 25:23 in the process with four Ladies teams in competition. Newton revealed: “It was lovely to see more ladies teams out. A great ride for me and Jane, a personal best by over a minute! We both worked hard and it paid off. Both very happy with result“! Chapman added: “It was a very hot evening on a fast course. We were both very pleased with the result“.

Result:

Cumulative Top 10 after six rounds:

• Round 7 of the Coaching Revolutions 2-UpSeries takes place at 7pm on Wednesday when Wrekinsport CC present their 10 mile event using the Waters Upton – Hodnet course. Sign on at The Bucks Head, Long Lane.