Illness played it's part in ensuring that the destination of the Decathlon Evening 10 Series by Wrekinsport was not decided as expected in Round 14 as Series leader Rich Smith took his lowest points tally of the season. Suffering from a bug Smith was well off his best, finishing 8th overall in 24 minutes 41 seconds, gaining himself just two points, his lowest tally of the Series. This sets up a straight head-to-head between Smith and prime challenger Tomos Hales for Series Gold, with Smith taking a five point lead into that final round.
Hales meanwhile narrowed the gap to the top of the standings thanks to placing third overall and second club rider in 23:37, 13 seconds behind Rob Jackson who sealed the Bronze medal on the strength of his ride. Neither however had an answer for the form of VC St Raphael's Alex Leek who customarily gets stronger as the season progresses. Leek took the overall win in a fine time of 22:46 ahead of a field of 19 with the event taking place in a clear window of weather on a day otherwise blighted by heavy downpours.
Despite no riders in competition in the Road Bike Series Mio Kontic sealed the Silver medal after now being unable to be caught. The destination of the Bronze medal is far from settled however with any one of four riders able to win it in the final round: Steve Smith, Andy Loveland, Bethan Till and Bruce Gregory. Till was riding her time trial bike and won the Women's competition from Victoria Doran with another personal best - 27:17, knocking 20 seconds off the benchmark she set in Round 12.
Decathlon Evening 10 Series by Wrekinsport: Top 10 after fourteen rounds
|
Pos'n
|
Name
|
Total Points
|
|
1
|
Rich Smith
|
60
|
|
2
|
Tomos Hales
|
55
|
|
3
|
Rob Jackson
|
47
|
|
4
|
Allan Henderson
|
38
|
|
5
|
Chris Halford
|
36
|
|
6
|
Dave Moore
|
17
|
|
7
|
Pete Mulloy
|
14
|
|
=8
|
Oliver Rodwell
|
12
|
|
=8
|
Richard Howes
|
12
|
|
=8
|
Ron Perks
|
12
|
Road Bike Series after fourteen rounds
|
Pos'n
|
Name
|
Total Points
|
|
1
|
Dave Moore
|
42
|
|
2
|
Mio Kontic
|
23
|
|
3
|
Steve Smith
|
15
|
|
4
|
Andy Loveland
|
11
|
|
=5
|
Bethan Till
|
10
|
|
=5
|
Bruce Gregory
|
10
|
|
7
|
Jack Inglis
|
8
|
|
8
|
Rob Bainbridge
|
3
|
T
he 15th and final round of the Decathlon Evening 10 Series by Wrekinsport takes place on Wednesday, 21st August with an earlier
6:30pm start due to available light. All welcome at The Woolpack, Shawbirch.
