North Shropshire Wheelers 10 2up

2015’s trophy winners set out their stall early in round 1 of the Coaching Revolutions 2-Up Series as they maintained a stranglehold on that silverware over a good field. With a glorious early Spring morning Nova Raiders’ Ed Middleton and Scott ‘Bomber’ Harris made the most of calm conditions in the North Shropshire Wheelers’ promotion to power home on the Prees – Lower Prees 10 mile course in 23 minutes 29 seconds – with Harris showing off early season fitness. A delighted Middleton explained: “It’s always a pleasure riding with Bomber, who was in good form. It was also great to see so many Raiders racing. Thanks to the hosts North Shropshire Wheelers“. Harris concurred on that flying start, adding: “A good start to the season, I felt strong in the good conditions“.

Middleton and Harris had a strong challenge from last year’s Silver medallists – their own team mates Nick Pavard and Mark Harrison, who stopped the watch on 24:12 to help themselves to therunner-up spot. That friendly rivalry between the team mates looks like continuing in 2016 when fitness levels improve, with Harrison commenting: “The first race of the season is always a bit of a shock but happy with the result“. Pavard added: “A Raiders 1-2 is always a fantastic result. The amount of new teams competing was the highlight though, especially the number of ladies teams“.

Pavard was commenting on the way this competition has taken off amongst both mixed sex teams and ladies teams, with a strong performance from Wrekinsport’s Amanda Witty and Delwyn Jones to take 4th place overall in 25:49 behind the Revolutions Racing pairing of Steve Elcocks and Dan Lamsdell 59 seconds ahead. That performance reached new heights for Witty, who explained: “I was really chuffed with the result. Neither of us have trained but it was a Personal Best for me“. Jones and Witty are the defending mixed team Champions, with the closest challenge in this contest coming from North Shropshire Wheelers’ Caroline Lloyd and Phil Guy who recorded 28:38.

Harris had one further comment to add, stating: “I love that Raiders have now got so many lady Time Triallists coming through“. With two ladies teams in competition from the club it was first time pairing Jade Chapman and Jenny Newton who took the lead in this Championship with the pair finishing in 28:20 ahead of Jo Coombes and Rachel Storey in 31:24. A delighted Chapman commented: “I was really pleased with our time. It was the first time doing a 2-Up together, I really enjoyed it“. Newton added: “I thoroughly enjoyed my first ever 2-Up, and really pleased with the time“!

Result:

• Round 2 of The Coaching Revolutions 2-Up Series takes place on 24th April when Revolutions Racing promote their 10 mile event on the Nesscliffe bypass.