Matt Garthwaite takes honours in round three of the SB Sports Injuries Series.

A huge field turned out a sunny afternoon for the Shropshire Cycling Clubs’ Association Spring 10 No.2, where many had the chance for a first spin on the Cold Hatton-Shawbirch 10 course which was last used in 2012 – and then only for a low key New Year’s Day 10.

And it was Garthwaite who came out on top of the pile after he stopped the watch on 21 minutes 13 seconds.

That effort pushed round two winner Chris Halford into the runner-up spot by 38 seconds.

But Garthwaite revealed it had been a last-minute decision to ride and that he suffered on a course that throws in a requirement to dig deep due to it’s rolling nature.

“I procrastinated about training in the morning and eventually pulled my finger out and decided to ride the time trial,” he said. “The race was about as grim as could be expected.”

Garthwaite wasn’t the only one to be caught out judging their effort on the course, with a rise shortly after the start, a half-mile drag to the Shawbirch Island turn and – catching out the uninitiated – pulls to Crudgington crossroads and Sytch Lane.

Halford revealed: “I went out too hard and definitely paid for it in the last few miles.”

Halford’s 21:51 was good enough to elevate him into the joint lead overall in the SB Series, a position he shares with 2018 silver medallist Ed Middleton, who finished eighth on the day in 22:59.

Just five seconds behind Halford was SCCA Private Member Dan Watts, who dusted off his time trial bike and set a great time of 21:56, pushing out reigning champion Ian Nisbett by 23 seconds.

“I was pleased with the time for my first ride on the time trial bike this year, and there will be plenty more to come after a few more rides,” said Nisbett.

“The course is one that I haven’t been on in over six years and makes a nice alternative from the Peplow pavé.”

Halford wasn’t finished for the day, with his +4:45 taking the veterans’ runner-up spot by 11 seconds from Tony Harvey, but behind Nova Raiders’ Deb Hutson-Lumb.

Hutson-Lumb set a fabulous plus of +5:05 to take the win – and a vital two extra points over Halford.

The pair are now joint leaders of the SB Veterans’ Series, though Hutson-Lumb had further reason to celebrate after also winning the women’s race in 24:22.

That saw her narrow the gap at the top to Hafren CC’s Louise Hurdley to six points in the process.

A delighted Hutson-Lumb said: “I was very pleased to get the women’s and the veterans’, and it was good to not be riding the Peplow pavé again.

“I hadn’t ridden the course as a 10 before, and keeping a bit more in the tank for the draggy last couple of miles will be the plan for next time.”

Hutson-Lumb’s nearest female competition came from team-mate Jenny Newton, who moved into view of the finish battling with Women’s Series leader Louise Hurdley, with the duo finishing just a second apart on the road.

Newton posted a good time of 26:03 and revealed that spotting Hurdley ahead had acted as a giant spur.

“I really liked the course, I felt positive and strong from the start,” she said.

“It was an adrenaline rush when I saw Louise, but she didn’t make it easy for me. I caught her, she caught me back then I caught her again just before the finish line. I’m very happy with second and with my time.”

At the top of the Junior Series, Henri Bedford stretched his overall lead to 10 points thanks to a personal best 22:57 – the first time he had beaten 23 minutes. The 16-year-old finished a strong sixth overall and clearly dug deep in the final 300 yards as he crested the brow before the finish to dip below the 23-minute mark and pushed out James Satoor by 13 seconds.