Shropshire Star

Wrekinsport’s Andy Bason rose to the challenge in round two of the SCCA’S Hawk Plant Championship, which was incorporated in the Mid Shropshire Wheelers Open 25 mile event.

He not only beat all other competitors but also Sunday’s wintry weather in the Prees-based promotion.

With a cold north westerly wind making it extremely difficult for most riders on several sections, Bason powered through it to gain maximum points and take a lead in the championships by completing the ride in a superb time of 55mins 27secs.

Clubmate Dan Soltys, although two minutes slower than Bason, also produced an excellent ride to take third place overall and second in the Hawk points category, one of only four riders who broke the hour barrier on the day.

Paramount’s Huw Roberts produced a good ride for seventh position overall, a time of 1-01-19 and gaining him third in the Hawk points series.

Newport’s Peter Griffin continues to dominate the veterans championship even at this early stage.

He again took the honours by beating North Shropshire Wheeler Phil Guy by 22 seconds on standard to gain maximum points with a +13.19.

Guy, who was riding his first Hawk championship event of the season, put in a powerful performance and could certainly pose a threat to Griffin’s aspirations in the following months.

The ladies championship produced another twist.

With Julie Moore a non starter, it was expected that last year’s champion Helen Tudor (Oswestry) would use the opportunity to gain maximum points and take the lead in the title race.

However, she has not yet found her form this season and was, for the second time, beaten by Mid Shropshire Wheeler Jenny York.

York, who has found a rich vein of early season form, finished strongly in an excellent time of 1-11-55 to gain maximum points and take the lead in the championship, beating Tudor by 8mins 14secs.