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Decathlon Evening 10 Series by Wrekinsport - Round 10 2019

A glorious evening saw a number of personal bests recorded in Round 10 of the Decathlon Evening 10 Series by Wrekinsport - including the second in two weeks for Rich Smith as he continues to pull ahead in the Overall Series standings. Smith didn't have it all his own way however with Chris Halford taking the win at the head of a field of 24 riders with a fine time of 21 minutes 36 seconds, an improvement of 11 seconds over his Round 9 effort. Halford has gained maximum points from all five Rounds he has entered and moved up to third in the Overall standings, but with a 17 point advantage for Smith it will be a tough catch.

Runner-up on the night was 15 year-old Henri Bedford, who made a determined charge for the finish line as he stopped the watch on 22:32, 16 seconds ahead of Smith. The Bridgnorth-based rider sliced eight seconds off his Round 9 PB despite being convinced that conditions weren't as favourable and now has an 11 point advantage over nearest challenger Tomos Hales.

Birthday boy Rob Jackson thoroughly enjoyed celebrating his big day by taking fourth spot in 23:46, 6 seconds ahead of Fraser MacKinnon. Meanwhile there were more personal bests lower down the field with Mio Kontic recording an all-time best 29:22, shaving 37 seconds off his Round 9 effort. Kontic elevated himself to second in the Road Bike Series on the strength of this effort, but had no answer for Series leader Dave Moore, who made things interesting for himself by racing on a 1980's vintage Peugeot machine complete with down tube changers - whilst wearing jeans! Moore beat the 29 minute mark by a single second and was the fastest Wrekinsport rider - although like Smith he didn't have things all his own way.

Entering their first time trials there were a brace of Decathlon riders, finally getting a chance to ride the Series they support. Starting a minute apart Philip Roberts got the better of Elliott Wills by 1:01 in a big battle for the finish line, with Roberts crossing in 26:45 and Wills recording 27:46. First-time efforts weren't reserved for the supporters as Revolutions Racings' Tina Elcocks entered her first ever solo time trial - and ended her evening with a respectable 31:27.  

Decathlon Evening 10 Series by Wrekinsport: Top 10 after ten rounds

Road Bike Series after ten rounds

A glorious evening saw personal bests tumble with a 21-strong field coming out to play as almost perfect conditions greeted Round 9 of the Decathlon Evening 10 Series by Wrekinsport. Wrekinsport riders took full advantage of familiarity with the Shawbirch - Cotwall Bank circuit to occupy the Top 5 places - with Chris Halford slowly making up lost ground in the Series with a fabulous time of 21 minutes 47 seconds.

Halford was well over a minute clear of the chasing pack and whilst fourth to start reeled all preceding three riders in to finish strongly, churning his trademark 60-tooth single front ring as he flew down the 'mile straight' to the finish line. Not finishing first however was not in the minds of the next three riders as all recorded course personal bests - with fourth-placed Rob Jackson delighted with his fastest 10 mile time trial ever of 23:20. Heading the chasing pack was Decathlon Series leader Rich Smith, beating the 23 minute mark for the first time ever on a tough circuit that offers a range of challenges. A delighted Smith stopped the watch on 22:56 and his post-race comments were typically tongue-in-cheek: "It's only taken me since 2002 to get a '22' on that course. Another 17 years and I'll be in the 21's!"

Smith critically finished three seconds ahead of his closest rival in Decathlon Series, Tomos Hales, who whilst delighted to post his fastest ever 10 on the Cotwall Bank circuit was disappointed to see Smith pull away by another point after a huge finishing effort to ensure he beat the 23 minute mark in a season-long tussle between the pair.

One welcome sight was seven competitors riding road bikes to add a bit of spice to proceedings. Revolutions Racing's Andy Hellowell posted the fastest effort of 24:44, but Wrekinsport Chairman Dave Moore again took the honours in the club's Road Bike Series with his 26:14 ensuring he now has exactly double the points of nearest chaser Steve Smith who finished in 28:24 and now looks a shoo-in for the Series win.

Decathlon Evening 10 Series by Wrekinsport: Top 10 after nine rounds

Road Bike Series after nine rounds

With frequent torrential rain and chilly conditions blighting the day just 12 riders took their chances in Round 8 of the Decathlon Evening 10 Series by Wrekinsport, and rode their luck as well as their bikes as the heavens let rip just 10 minutes after the last rider had finished. After four weeks away entering County events Chris Halford returned to his customary position at the top of the standings, clearly showing the extra fitness he has gained in the interim by taking the win by an superb margin of 1 minute 4 seconds.

Halford stopped the watch on 22 minutes 27 seconds and despite being third rider off was first rider back, looking in great form as he threw himself across the finishing line. This effort beat team mate Tomos Hales into the runner-up spot, although Hales had a top evening, beating both Series leader Rich Smith and Rob Jackson, riders who had pushed him into third spot in Round 7 with an 11 second improvement, whilst making up ground in the race for the Championship on Smith after narrowing the gap to five points. Smith finished 32 seconds down on his Round 7 time in 23:47 for 4th whilst Jackson was a surprising 1:19 down one place lower in 24:49, reflecting the struggle against a rising westerly wind that sprang up after the stillness of the rain showers. 

Another youngster who has made a name for himself at County-level events Henri Bedford also returned and captured 3rd spot with a fine 23:45. Again, this reflected the tough conditions despite Bedford riding in his usual superbly compact 'Preying Mantis' position which allows him to slice through the air more efficiently.  

The wet conditions put off competitors in the Road Bike Series with no change from Round 7 as Dave Moore takes a 13 point lead into Round 9.

Decathlon Evening 10 Series by Wrekinsport: Top 10 after eight rounds

Road Bike Series after eight rounds

It was a case of "Same again please" as the leaders of the Decathlon Evening 10 Series by Wrekinsport and the Road Bike Series again took wins to extend their leads in their respective competitions. Taking his third win in as many weeks Rich Smith is piling on the pressure as he saw off a strong challenge by Rob Jackson to stretch his advantage to six points. Smith bested his Round 6 time by just one second to stop the watch on 23 minutes 15 seconds seeing off Jackson by 15 seconds. Jackson shaved a huge 47 seconds off his Round 6 time thanks to a glorious evening that saw 22 riders in competition.

Smith's closest challenger in the Series Tomos Hales meanwhile had a quiet evening by his standards, finishing third in 23:42, 15 seconds off his Round 6 pace. These were the only three riders to set 23 minute marks, with Wrekinsport taking the top 4 places as Allan Henderson pushed visiting rider Fraser MacKinnon out by 7 seconds with his 24:24.

In the Road Bike Series Wrekinsport Chairman Dave Moore continues to pile on the pressure as he made it four wins on the bounce. Moore decided to make things difficult for himself by competing on a mountain bike, but still posted a respectable 28:56 and saw off the challenge of Mio Kontic by 50 seconds in the process.

Meanwhile the club's youngest rider continues to improve as 15 year-old Henry Fleming knocked a huge 34 seconds off the personal best he set in Round 6 with a fine effort of 31:34. Fleming is beginning to get used to his new time trial bike and more improvements are sure to come.

Decathlon Evening 10 Series by Wrekinsport: Top 10 after seven rounds

Road Bike Series after seven rounds

The leaders of The Decathlon Evening 10 Series by Wrekinsport and the Wrekinsport Road Bike Series stretched their advantages in Round 6 as both took wins in their respective categories. Rich Smith shaved two seconds off his Round 5 time despite miserable conditions that saw riders battle against a strong wind on Cotwall Bank, the toughest part of the course and rain that sprung up mid-event to ensure competitors received a liberal soaking.

Smith saw off the attentions of Tomos Hales for the second week in a row with his 23:16 effort - though by a smaller margin as Hales narrowed the gap to just 11 seconds after finishing 19 seconds off the pace in Round 5. Smith now holds a four point advantage over Hales in the Championship, with Allan Henderson lying in third place Overall thanks to a tie on the night with Rob Jackson for third, with both riders finishing in 24:17.

In the Road Bike Series Wrekinsport Chairman Dave Moore opened up a seven point advantage over Andy Loveland with a 25:56 ride, five seconds faster than in Round 5, with Bethan Till finishing in runner-up spot on 29:17.

The youngest Wrekinsport club member took on the oldest still competing regularly - and finished with a personal best as 15 year-old Henry Fleming beat 80 year-old Ron Perks by six seconds. Fleming has been frustrated in trying his new time trial bike out after a hand injury, but with that finally healed he stopped the watch on 32:08, slicing a huge 1:16 off his previous best.

Decathlon Evening 10 Series by Wrekinsport: Top 10 after six rounds

Road Bike Series after six rounds