Henri Bedford took another fine win in Round 2 of The Decathlon Evening 10 Series by Wrekinsport despite gathering gloom on a dull evening. Helped by a rare easterly wind that aids riders up the 1.8 mile drag of Cotwall Bank Bedford shaved two seconds off from his Round 1 time despite the chill of an evening where the mercury steadily sank below 12ºC, with warmth only added on rare peeks from the sun. Bedford is easily recognisable in his exaggerated ‘Preying Mantis’ position, with a superbly locked back that means all the effort is going through the pedals. His 20 minute 34 second ride saw a fearsome charge for the finish line as he pushed Chris Halford into the runner-up spot by 50 seconds.
Halford had a steady start to the season but looked back to his familiar form with his 21:24 ride, seeing off a strong challenge from club mate Tomos Hales by 9 seconds. Hales had beaten Halford by four seconds in Round 1 but with Halford lopping a huge 57 seconds off his previous week’s effort the benefit of that easterly wind was clearly demonstrated – always the best direction for fast times on the Shawbirch – Cotwall Bank circuit. This locks the pair in joint first place in the Series in a tussle that is likely to last the season.
Best of the road bike racers was Paramount CRT’s Chris Riley, powering to 19th spot overall in a great field of 43 riders in 24:50, showing the passion for time trialling now lockdown restrictions are beginning to ease. But Dave Slater took the maximum six points on offer for Wrekinsport riders to stretch his lead at the top of the Road Bike Series.
Amongst a fine turnout of females Alison Dockney of Market Drayton CC powered home to a convincing win in 24:08, with Wrekinsport’s Clare Cotterill taking the plaudits for the club as she gets faster and faster as the season has bedded in, stopping the watch on 26:55. Bedford was fastest of the Juniors too, with closest challenger Luka Stolic who knocked 30 seconds off his first attempt the previous week to end the evening on 25:37.
Decathlon Series by Wrekinsport Cumulative Standings after two rounds
|
Pos'n
|
Name
|
Total Points
|
R1
|
R2
|
|
=1
|
Chris Halford
|
10
|
4
|
6
|
|
=1
|
Tomos Hales
|
10
|
5
|
5
|
|
=3
|
Adam Baker
|
6
|
6
|
|
|
=3
|
Rich Smith
|
6
|
2
|
4
|
|
=3
|
Rob Jackson
|
6
|
3
|
3
|
Road Bike Series Cumulative Standings after two rounds
|
Pos'n
|
Name
|
Total Points
|
R1
|
R2
|
|
1
|
Dave Slater
|
12
|
6
|
6
|
|
2
|
Stuart Wortley
|
10
|
5
|
5
|
|
=3
|
Helen Blake
|
4
|
4
|
|
|
=3
|
Hannah Jukes-Jones
|
4
|
|
4
|
