Cancelled
Joughin crowned champion as RRL R11 cancelled
report by Ben Goddard, pictures by David Perry
BEN Joughin was crowned winner of the 2017 South Staffordshire & Shropshire Road Race League although the final round was cancelled.
The 30-year-old from Stoke-on-Trent clinched two wins and three podium placings during the mid-week series as he ran out overall winner.
The road race league was again hit by misfortune when the final round (the Pete Biddle Memorial) planned for the Penkridge circuit was cancelled after road works sprung up on the downhill section near The Chase Golf Club.
“I like getting stuck in and anything could have happened tonight and at Sundourne last week,” said Pro Vision Race Team rider and overall winner Joughin.
“I did have a relatively good lead but if I didn’t have a good ride and Matthew (Morris) or Kirk (Vickers) had got up there anything could have happened.
“It’s the first time I’ve entered the league so I’m delighted to win. Winning back to back victories at Charlton was a highlight for me as we were up against it that night.
“Rhino Velo were trying to get the win that night and split the bunch but I managed to get the win. Our team have been a bit thin on the ground this year while Mammoth Lifestyle RT and Rhino Velo have been strong so weve been up against it.”
After winning the opening round and finishing second in round five leading veteran rider Morris, of Wolverhampton Wheelers, took second overall and the veteran category victory ahead of Jonathan Perry (Stourbridge CC)
Rhino Velo featured strongly throughout the series and took third and fourth overall with Kirk Vickers and Chris Pook.
Charlie Fisher (Newport Shropshire CC) took third and fourth placings to seal the junior competition from Alfie Mortimer (Mid Shropshire Wheelers) who was consistently competing with the top riders.
Steph Clayton (Mammoth Lifestyle) sealed the women’s victory by seven points from Annie Stanford (Paramount CRT) with both riders consistently finishing well.
