CLUB NEWS: Timms and Humphries Monarchs success stories
This bank holiday was the sport’s British Championships weekend with plenty of Monarchs riders entered into the various competitions. Two Monarchs riders featured on the rostrum from different ages of the spectrum.
The Birmingham club had spent time getting the track and surroundings ready for action as they hosted the Open Semi final stages on both Saturday and Sunday. A good crowd on both days saw plenty of good racing. Ben Mould top scored on Saturday whilst Josh Brooke was highest scorer on Sunday.
Home man Scott Millward was 3rd on 16 points on Saturday, whilst Chris Timms was 2nd on Sunday. Both came through the weekend’s qualifiers to reach Mondays final fairly comfortably over 2 legs.
Throughout the weekend other Championships were being raced. On Saturday Birmingham’s success story saw Rebekah Humphries race to silver in the U12s Girls championship. Her first rostrum placing. Connor Steel meanwhile was left to rue a costly fall whilst 2nd in his opening race, which left him agonisingly short of 3rd place overall in the U12’s boys. He finished 5th on 15 points.
Rebecca Humphries (left) on the U12 Girls Podium. Photo by Steve Hodgkinson.
Earlier in the day, Charlie Buet Gannon also had a costly fall whilst leading his last ride in the U10s, he finished 8th on 13 points. His sister, Issy, rode in the U8s where she finished 6th overall. Ryan Winwood came 7th in the U14’s Final scoring 14 points.
On the Sunday, Birmingham’s first title winner was crowned, as Paul Timms took victory in the Over 60s Championship. He dropped one point during the meeting and took victory in a run off against Wednesfield rider Phil Hemming.
Mark Winwood was agonisingly close to a rostrum placing in the over 40s, one point off on 16 points, so had to settle for a 4th place finish. Steve Hodgkinson rode to 14 points and 7th place finish in the Over 50th title.
Paul Timms on the Over 60s podium. Photo by Steve Hodgkinson.
Ewan Hancox will look to a couple of costly slips that also cost him a rostrum place that looked highly likely at the halfway stage. He had to settle for 4th on 16 points in the Open Junior final.
All eyes focused on Mondays main final at Wednesfield with Birmingham having 2 riders in the line up. Chris Timms started brightly with 2 wins however his luck faded in the 2nd half, but a strong final heat saw him fall just short of a rostrum place, finishing 4th on 15 points. Scott Millward found the going tough and finished on 9 points. The Open Final won by Coventry star and former Monarchs Elite League rider, Myke Grimes, whilst former Monarch Paul Heard was runner up.
Birmingham also have another prestigious meeting the following Sunday (3rd September) as they host Coventry in Midland League action, but also have a presentation of our Go Ride and Club Mark certificate from British Cycling. Our sponsors, the police, councillors and press are also invited for the occasion. Action underway with the juniors at 1pm, seniors 2pm.
Training continues every Tuesday and Thursday at the track, 6pm under 16’s, 7pm seniors. Newcomers welcome.
Keep up to date with Birmingham Monarchs news at birminghammonarchs.wordpress.com, and follow the Monarchs on Twitter with the handle @brummonarchs.