It was a decisive evening at the Ludlow ‘Scenic’ 10 at Long Meadowend as the destination of six medals was determined in Round 14 of the SB Sports Injuries Series. A season-long battle between Bryn Davies and Tim Beardmore was resolved as Davies placed himself in an unassailable position in both the Overall and Veteran’s standings – despite not winning on the night. That honour was reserved for an ex-Ludlow CC rider Oliver Hayward, now riding for University of Birmingham CC. Hayward put in a great effort of 23 minutes 34 seconds, just 33 seconds off Andy Bason’s 2010 record. That record and the event name tells riders all they need to know about the course, with rolling, twisting, swooping roads passing through the occasional painterly village. Hayward stated: “I haven’t ridden the course for a few years and forgot how taxing it is, it was very hard to get a rhythm and I overshot a few corners, but it was a lovely evening“.
Despite finishing runner-up on the night Davies nearly didn’t sew the Series up after expressing a few doubts about travelling from Welshpool a few days earlier, but after recording a fabulous effort of 24:05 he stated “I’m glad I went, I loved the course. It was my first time on that course, I really enjoyed it and was pleased to get maximum points. A great time by Oliver to take the win overall, thanks to the event organisers and marshals for a great nights racing“. Davies wasn’t sure if he had done enough to take the Series with Beardmore gaining 12 points for finishing 6th in 25:45 but when not only Overall Gold but Veteran’s Gold was confirmed thanks to a +2:08 Standard Davies added: “Fantastic, I’m over the moon with that. I’ve had a great year and really enjoyed the Series. A big thanks to everyone at SCCA and all the clubs involved“.
Beardmore has challenged Davies doggedly all season but was pleased with Overall and Veteran’s Silver after adding 12 points in both Championships. The delighted Bridgnorth CC rider commented: “It’s been a real breakthrough season for me, with consistent results all year. Massive thanks to SCCA, clubs and competitors who spurred me on. Amazed and super-stoked to take Silver in the Veterans and Overall“.
Davies’ +2:08 didn’t quite take the Veteran’s win on the evening, which went to Paramount CRT’s Stuart Proctor, making his first appearance in the Series and two seconds ahead. As a result he turned out to be a surprise package – though it wasn’t without some suffering. He commented: “It was my first time on the course, so I really didn’t know what to expect. So much lumpier than any time trial I’ve done before, the long drag along the road to Little Brampton especially took me by surprise and I was down to 15mph in places. It was my minute man’s blinking light that kept me going at that point! I think I judged it right in the end as I reached that point of nearly wanting to be sick, but just managed to avoid doing so! A fantastic route, I completely understand why it’s called the ‘Ludlow Scenic’ and I will definitely be back there again in the new season“!
Davies and Beardmore weren’t the only riders to win medals with Sam Morris sealing the Junior Series after taking the Junior win in 25:08 – good enough for 4th overall in a field of 23. Morris saw off a challenge from William Hints who was runner-up in 27:48 and was delighted with his evening’s work stating: “I absolutely loved the course! I was happy with my ride, good preparation for the hilly-looking National 10. It was great to take it with a few races to go! Thanks everyone for a great Series“.
The tough nature of the course seemed to put females off from entering, but this proved decisive for Tracey Billington as she can no longer be caught with three rounds remaining. Despite winning without turning a pedal in anger Billington has been the clear leader for much of the season and victory is richly deserved. When told she stated: “I’m really pleased to win Gold this year. It has been a difficult time for me, I’ve struggled all year to find my form and at one point thought about giving up, but the support has again been tremendous. Thank you to everyone for supporting this Series, especially the timekeepers and marshals as without them these competitions wouldn’t happen“.
Result:
SB Sports Injuries and Physiotherapy Series – Round 14
| Pos’n | Name | Club | Time | Points |
| 1 | Oliver Hayward | University of Birmingham |
23:34 |
|
| 2 | Bryn Davies | Hafren CC |
24:05 |
20 |
| 3 | Stuart Proctor | Paramount CRT |
24:31 |
18 |
| 4 | Sam Morris | Revolutions Racing |
25:08 |
16 |
| 5 | James Griffiths | Clee Cycles |
25:17 |
14 |
| 6 | Tim Beardmore | Bridgnorth CC |
25:45 |
12 |
| 7 | Ian Pollard | Nova Raiders |
25:46 |
10 |
| 8 | Andy Maxwell | Nova Raiders |
26:06 |
8 |
| 9 | Simon Evans | Mid Shropshire Wheelers |
26:45 |
6 |
| 10 | Clancy Wilson | Ludlow CC |
26:51 |
4 |
| 11 | Chris Edwards | Ludlow Brewery RT |
27:00 |
2 |
| 12 | Tim Spence | Ludlow Brewery RT |
27:01 |
2 |
| 13 | Lee Monks | Pearce Cycles RT |
27:11 |
|
| 14 | William Baugh | Ludlow CC |
27:40 |
2 |
| 15 | William Hints | Ludlow CC |
27:48 |
2 |
| 16 | Matt Tilson | Ludlow CC |
27:56 |
2 |
| 17 | David Brick | Ludlow CC |
28:01 |
2 |
| 18 | Ian Connolly | WyreForest CRC |
28:08 |
|
| 19 | Neal Deller | Ludlow CC |
28:48 |
2 |
| 20 | Dover Disney | Ludlow CC |
29:25 |
2 |
| 21 | Tim Evans | NewportShropshire CC |
29:29 |
2 |
| 22 | Chris Williams | Ludlow CC |
29:33 |
2 |
| 23 | Richard Corbett | Ludlow CC |
30:48 |
2 |
SB Sports Injuries and Physiotherapy Veterans Series – Round 14
| Vets Pos’n | Name | Club | Vet +/- | Vets Points |
| 1 | Stuart Proctor | Paramount CRT |
+2:10 |
20 |
| 2 | Bryn Davies | Hafren CC |
+2:08 |
18 |
| 3 | Ian Pollard | Nova Raiders |
+1:18 |
16 |
| 4 | James Griffiths | Clee Cycles |
+0:56 |
14 |
| 5 | Tim Beardmore | Bridgnorth CC |
+0:33 |
12 |
| 6 | Clancy Wilson | Ludlow CC |
+0:13 |
10 |
| 7 | Simon Evans | Mid Shropshire Wheelers |
-0:04 |
8 |
| 8 | William Baugh | Ludlow CC |
-1:04 |
6 |
| 9 | Neal Deller | Ludlow CC |
-1:10 |
4 |
| 10 | Ian Connolly | WyreForest CRC |
-1:36 |
|
| 11 | Dover Disney | Ludlow CC |
-1:47 |
2 |
| 12 | Chris Williams | Ludlow CC |
-2:39 |
2 |
| 13 | Tim Evans | NewportShropshire CC |
-3:06 |
2 |
| 14 | Richard Corbett | Ludlow CC |
-4:03 |
2 |
SB Sports Injuries and Physiotherapy Junior Series – Round 14
| Junior Pos’n | Name | Club | Time | Junior Points |
| 1 | Sam Morris | Revolutions Racing |
25:08 |
20 |
| 2 | William Hints | Ludlow CC |
27:48 |
18 |
| 3 | Matt Tilson | Ludlow CC |
27:56 |
16 |
Cumulative Standings after fourteen rounds
Overall
| Position | Name | Club | Cat | Best 12 |
| 1 | Bryn Davies | Hafren CC | V | 224 |
| 2 | Tim Beardmore | Bridgnorth CC | V | 182 |
| 3 | Craig Ball | SCCA Private Member | V | 90 |
| 4 | Andy Rose | Nova Raiders | V | 86 |
| 5 | Ed Middleton | Nova Raiders | S | 66 |
| 6 | Ian Nisbett | Hafren CC | V | 58 |
| 7 | Sam Morris | Revolutions Racing | J | 56 |
| =8 | Alex Leek | SCCA Private Member | S | 54 |
| =8 | Simon Harrison | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | V | 54 |
| 10 | Richard Kay | North Shropshire Wheelers | V | 52 |
Veterans
| Position | Name | Club | Cat | Best 12 |
| 1 | Bryn Davies | Hafren CC | V | 228 |
| 2 | Tim Beardmore | Bridgnorth CC | V | 188 |
| 3 | Andy Rose | Nova Raiders | V | 126 |
| 4 | Craig Ball | SCCA Private Member | V | 88 |
| 5 | Ian Laverie | Nova Raiders | V | 62 |
| 6 | Scott Harris | Nova Raiders | V | 60 |
| =7 | Ian Pollard | Nova Raiders | V | 52 |
| =7 | Simon Harrison | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | V | 52 |
| 9 | Richard Kay | North Shropshire Wheelers | V | 50 |
| =10 | Ian Nisbett | Hafren CC | V | 48 |
| =10 | Jonathan Smith | Nova Raiders | V | 48 |
Ladies
| Position | Name | Club | Cat | Best 12 |
| 1 | Tracey Billington | Nova Raiders | LV | 164 |
| 2 | Emma Robinson | Wrekinsport CC | L | 90 |
| 3 | Pauline Hughes | Revolutions Racing | LV | 80 |
| 4 | Jane Chapman | Nova Raiders | LV | 66 |
| 5 | Helen Tudor | Oswestry Paragon CC | LV | 64 |
| 6 | Ceris Eslava | Paramount CRT | LV | 50 |
| =7 | Amanda Whitmore | Revolutions Racing | LV | 34 |
| =7 | Jenny Newton | Nova Raiders | LV | 34 |
| 9 | Caroline Lloyd | North Shropshire Wheelers | LV | 32 |
| 10 | Rebecca Richardson | Hafren CC | L | 20 |
Juniors
| Position | Name | Club | Cat | Best 12 |
| 1 | Sam Morris | Revolutions Racing | J | 120 |
| 2 | Kieran Morris | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | J | 40 |
| 3 | Jordan Stamp | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | J | 36 |
| 4 | Sam Holwill | Hafren CC | J | 20 |
| =5 | Ben Vernon | Wrekinsport CC | J | 18 |
| =5 | James Bell | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | J | 18 |
| =5 | William Hints | Ludlow CC | J | 18 |
| 8 | Matt Tilson | Ludlow CC | J | 16 |
- Round 15 of the SB Sports Injuries Series is the first of three SCCA ‘Autumn’ 10’s run on the Waters Upton – Hodnet course at 3pm on 17th September.