Shropshire Star

Victor Chetta digs deep to retain county crown

Victor Chetta is celebrating another gold strike in the SB Sports Injuries Shropshire Championship 50.

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Chetta had predicted a close battle between himself Bryn Davies and Matt Gibbons and that was the case over four laps of the Prees-Whitchurch-Quina Brook circuit, writes Dave Fletcher.

The reigning 50 mile champion clung on to his title as the first medals of the season were handed out at Prees in round six of the Friction Hydraulics Series, with the top three split by just over a minute.

A glorious morning saw Chetta just push Davies out by 23 seconds to stop the watch on one hour 55 minutes and 26 seconds to claim the gold.

A delighted Chetta said: “It feels good to remain county 50 mile Champion for another year. However, I was left scratching my head somewhat as to why my increased power output didn’t equate to more speed on the day, so my aerodynamics may need addressing.”

The silver and bronze medallists both set new personal bests and dipped under the magical two-hour mark for the first time, both averaging over 25mph.

Hafren CC rider Davies came home in second place in a time of 1:55:49 despite an ankle injury and was delighted with his PB

“My aim was to try and get under the two-hour mark,” he said. “I was still sporting a sprained ankle and I wasted time on the first lap sorting out my water bottle. I eventually got down to work and paced my ride well, pushing myself hard to the finish to surprise myself with a new personal best.”

nearly 5 minutes quicker than last year on the same course only 23 seconds behind Victor, who deservedly retains the 50 Championship Trophy, with Matt putting in a strong ride coming in a close third spot”.

Gibbons posted a fine 1:56:40 to capture overall bronze – as well as lead his club Nova raiders to team gold with excellent backup from Ed Middleton and Paul Carroll for a combined time of 6:21:42, a huge 29:25 ahead of the nearest competition.

Gibbons was satisfied with his efforts, stating: “I felt strong until the final lap and then I was just hanging on. Well done to Victor and Bryn on good rides. I was pleased with Bronze, and for taking the team win with Ed and Paul. Another well organised and marshalled event from Mid Shropshire Wheelers”.

Middleton, who finish sixth in 2:05:50 revealed that Nova Raiders had turned up with a pre-race plan and had executed it effectively:

“The aim was to go for the team gold, so we were happy we pulled it off,” he said.

When the age-related standards were applied, Chetta’s and Davies’s positions were reversed in the Veterans’ Championship, with Davies taking gold and the Jim Heath Trophy with a fine +21:37 and Chetta settling for the silver in +20:09.

But it was another Hafren CC rider who surprised himself by taking Veterans’ bronze, with Ian Nisbett posting +19:00 and beating the two-hour barrier at his first attempt with an excellent actual time of 1:58:52.

“It was my first attempt at a 50, so I was a little unsure of how hard to go on the pacing,” he said. “I’ve done a few 40-50 mile training rides so I stuck to a similar power strategy and it worked out nicely on the day.”

My lap times and speed were very consistent, and my third and fourth laps were faster than laps one and two so the steady start paid off. I was very pleased with a sub-two hour ride”.

Things were close in the Women’s Championship, too, with Mid Shropshire Wheelers’ Jenny York taking gold and the Women’s 50 mile Trophy with an excellent ride of 2:24:08 – though she knew she had been in a scrap with Helen Tudor, who won silver.

“I was pleased with the win, I knew it would be a close call with Helen though so I had to push hard,” said York.

Oswestry Paragon’s Tudor stopped the watch on 2:26:39, with the longer distances suiting her style. She stated: “I was pleased to take Silver, well done to Jenny on taking the Gold. Thanks to all the Mid Shropshire Wheelers’ members involved in putting the event on”.

Meanwhile, it was a close call for the bronze with York’s team-mate Juliet Suddaby taking that medal by 50 seconds from Wrekinsport’s Vicki Bale, who was riding her first time trial of the season. Suddaby worked hard for her success, setting a fine personal best 2:28:49 in the process.

The next event in the Series takes place on June 6 when Hafren CC promote their 25 mile race on the fast Berriew-Four Crosses course.

She stated: “I was super happy with my result. The sun was out and my legs felt good - the perfect recipe! I was slightly ahead of my target time per loop until the last lap when the wind seemed to have picked up and I was starting to tire. Hearing cheers of encouragement around the course kept me on track, and I managed to keep my legs working as hard as they could and achieve my target of a Personal Best”.