A decidedly chilly evening saw times generally go back a notch in Round 3 of the Decathlon Evening 10 Series by Wrekinsport, but there were some familiar names at the top of the standings. With riders shivering to take their start the effort required to get around the lumpy Shawbirch – Cotwall Bank circuit soon saw them warming up, with Revolutions Racing’s Henri Bedford making it three wins in three events – albeit with a slower time. The 17 year-old charged around in 20 minutes 50 seconds, 25 seconds slower than his Round 2 effort, showing graphically how cold conditions can hamper times.

Bedford took the win by beating the same Top 4 as the previous week, although how each coped with the tougher conditions saw a bunching at the head. Taking the maximum six points on offer for Wrekisnport members Chris Halford lost 10 seconds on his Round 2 effort after crossing the line in 21:34, 12 seconds ahead of team mate Tomos Hales who is pushing the current Series Champion to the limits this season. Hales’ 21:46 saw a 13 second loss, showing how closely this pair are matched, whilst visiting Bridgnorth CC rider Jonathan Mills-Keeling was one of the rare improvements, lopping 9 seconds off his Round 2 time with 21:58, showing he is coming into form.

In the Road Bike category it was a first time trial of the season for Dan Watts, only recently returned from duty in The Falklands and playing a bit of catch up with his form. Watts still managed 23:08 and would surely have wiped the floor with this on his dedicated time trial bike, but despite this was still 2:26 clear of runner-up Chris Riley of Paramount CRT. In Wrekinsport’s Road Bike Series Dave Slater has so far put up a perfect claim to the Trophy with another maximum six points in 29:11, 12 seconds down but enough to stretch his lea over Stuart Wortley who finished in 32:53.

With the events gaining popularity amongst Junior riders Bedford took a commanding win from Market Drayton CC’s Harry Corney, who recorded 24:01, with Wrekinsport’s Ben Southgate taking the honours for the club in 27:35. The events are also seeing more females try their hand too, with Emma Horne and Clare Cotterill having a terrific battle, with Horne taking the win in 26:50 by 25 seconds over the improving Cotterill.    

Decathlon Series by Wrekinsport Top 5 Cumulative Standings after three rounds

Pos'n	Name	Total Points	R1	R2	R3
1	Chris Halford	16	4	6	6
2	Tomos Hales	15	5	5	5
3	Rich Smith	9	2	4	3
4	Rob Jackson	8	3	3	2
=5	Adam Baker	6	6
=5	Phil Roberts	6	1	1	4

Road Bike Series Top 5 Cumulative Standings after three rounds

Pos'n	Name	Total Points	R1	R2	R3
1	Dave Slater	18	6	6	6
2	Stuart Wortley	15	5	5	5
=3	Annabel Horne	4			4
=3	Hannah Jukes-Jones	4		4
=3	Helen Blake	4	4