Wrekinsport CC Spring 5 No.1
With organised outdoor sports finally allowed after the Covid-19 restrictions were eased Wrekinsport took no time in getting a 50 rider maximum field signed up for the first time trial of 2021 on a brand new course. The Admaston – Rushmore Lane – Allscott triangle had been intended for use in 2020, but the start of the pandemic put paid to early events and road works saw off late ones. One thing was guaranteed – course records.
Conditions could hardly have been better as balmy 23ºC temperatures accompanied by barely any wind got the season off to a fabulous start, with many complementary comments about the new circuit being both quiet and testing, with the latter half gradually climbing to open the lungs. A fabulous entry of 15 Juniors saw many youngsters have their first go at a time trial with most quickly signed up for the second event a week later. However it was a more experienced Junior Henri Bedford who set the inaugural record of 10:09, taking a tremendous win by a clear 30 seconds over Tomos Hales. Bedford’s take no prisoners ride shows how much he has progressed over the shutdown, with his light weight helping up the gradual 3% incline to the finish.
Hales meanwhile had already given notice of his form after winning an online Zwift time trial, taking a shock victory over the club’s fastest rider in 2020 Chris Halford. Hales’ 10:39 saw off Halford by 12 seconds, with Halford trying out a new setup. Always known for churning a huge gear Halford had upped to a giant 62-tooth chain ring, but it was the selection of a brand new disc wheel with a minimum 15-tooth gear that saw Halford loose time on the final climb. He admitted that he had misjudged the course finish and not factored in the gradual climb, but he is certain not to make the same mistake in the second running on this course.
Nova Raiders’ Lauren Turley set the benchmark Women’s record of 14:11 by just a four second margin ahead of Wrekinsport’s Clare Cotterill, with a good showing of eight women among the field. Meanwhile Bedford’s nearest challenger in the Junior category was Market Drayton CC’s Harry Corney in 11:41.
