Andy Bason’s long-standing course record was finally smashed on the Shawbirch – Cotwall Bank circuit as Ribble Weldtite professional Jacob Tipper sliced 11 seconds off the benchmark on a far from perfect evening in Round 8 of the Decathlon Evening 10 Series by Wrekinsport. Tipper steamed around the course in 20 minutes 8 seconds, getting closer than anyone to dipping below the magical 20 minute/30mph barrier on a tough, sporting course having arrived at the event determined to break the record after travelling across from The Black Country. On a better evening he would surely have made that target, but a significant westerly win nixed progress on the toughest leg of the course between Crudgington and Cotwall Bank.

There was close competition for runner-up spot with three riders split by just four seconds as Henri Bedford continues to improve. The 17 year-old Revolutions Racing rider stopped the watch on 21:06, seeing off strong challenges from a brace of RAF riders with Adam Baker taking third in 21:09 an Scott Hill a second back for fourth.

Tomos Hales took the honours for the promoting club in a fine 21:40; 27 seconds back from his Round 7 effort showing the trickiness of conditions and opened up daylight at the head of the Series as a result with Chris Halford sitting this round out on the sidelines.

In the Road Bike Series the overall win was taken by Paramount CRT’s Chris Riley in 24:25, with new Wrekinsport member Luka Stolic taking the maximum six points on offer for Wrekinsport riders for the second week in a row with 25:29 despite being 48 seconds back on Round 7. Stuart Wortley again took over at the head of this Series thanks to his 32:11 effort; 40 seconds back on Round 7.

In the Women’s Series Clare Cotterill continues to maintain the Series lead but it’s a narrowing gap to Victoria Doran who just beat the 30 minute mark by two seconds; 37 seconds down from her Round 7 personal best.   

Decathlon Series by Wrekinsport Top 5 Cumulative Standings after eight rounds

Pos'n	Name	Total Points
1	Tomos Hales	44
2	Chris Halford	37
3	Rich Smith	22
4	Phil Roberts	20
5	Rob Jackson	19

Road Bike Series Top 5 Cumulative Standings after eight rounds

Pos'n	Name	Total Points
1	Stuart Wortley	38
2	Dave Slater	34
3	Steve Porter-Knott	18
4	Luka Stolic	12
5	Hannah Jukes-Jones	10

Women’s Series Top 5 Cumulative Standings after eight rounds

Pos'n	Name	Total Points
1	Clare Cotterill	44
2	Victoria Doran	40
3	Clare O'Donnell	29
4	Emma Horne	12
5	Hannah Jukes-Jones	10