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Wrekinsport CC Club 10 No.3 2019

Chris Halford returned to his customary place at the top of the standings in Round 3 of Wrekinsport's Evening 10 Series on a chilly and dull evening that still attracted 19 riders. Threatened rain failed to materialise though the air was 'thick', with times generally down on Round 2. Halford stopped the watch on 22 minutes 4 seconds after a week off, elevating himself to the runner-up spot in the Series - a gap he'll clearly aim to close in future rounds.

Halford's nearest challenges both came from visiting riders, with Alex Leek putting in his first show of the season evidently in good form despite this being his first ride on a time trial bike in 2019. Leek blazed around the Long Lane circuit in 23:02, pushing out Round 2 winner Henri Bedford, one of only a few to better his Round 2 effort. 15 year-old Bedford has a classic time triallists' style, with a supremely flat back and presentation of minimal front through tucking in extremely low to the 'praying mantis' position, aiding passage through the air. The youngster bettered his Round 2 effort by eight seconds to cross the line in 23:17.

Joint Series leader after Round 2 Rich Smith took over sole lead of the Series with a strong effort of 23:49 for 4th spot Overall, pushing out team mate Tomos Hales by six seconds; whilst Andy Loveland made his first appearance of the season to record a fine 27:54 and take the maximum six points on offer in the Road Bike Series, designed for riders without access to full time trial rigs.     

Wrekinsport Evening 10 Series after three rounds

Wrekinsport Road Bike Series after three rounds

Wrekinsport CC Club 10 No.2 2019

It was youth to the fore as 15 year-old Henri Bedford took a maiden win in Round 2 of the Wrekinsport Evening 10 Series with a sound effort of 23 minutes 25 seconds. The youngster was clearly trying with all guns blazing as he flung himself across the finish line to see off a strong challenge from renaissance man Rich Smith, taking the honours for the promoting club as his weight loss over the winter begins to pay dividends. Smith stopped the watch on 23:39, with both times of the top times evidencing the tougher conditions facing riders with Bedford 26 seconds down on his opening round ride and Smith 35 seconds adrift.

Back in third was new Wrekinsport member Oliver Rodwell, suffering slightly more in conditions this round. Rodwell got the better of Smith by two seconds in Round 1 but here was 13 seconds behind. As a result both men are tied on 10 points for joint lead in the Evening 10 Series and are clearly fairly evenly matched.

Pre-race rain put off the big field of week 1 but despite a chill in the air that rain had thankfully cleared away by start time. Just one woman was in competition, with Bethan Till 18 seconds off equalling her personal best in a good time of 28:13.    

Result

Wrekinsport Evening 10 Series after two rounds

Wrekinsport Road Bike Series after two rounds

Wrekinsport CC Club 10 No.1 2019

Wrekinsport's Evening 10 Series started with a bang as 33 riders took advantage of a balmy Spring evening to get the season off to a flying start. Event winner Dan Watts set himself a carrot to catch, starting one minute behind the promoting club's fast man Chris Halford. With the advantage of spotting Halford ahead on the many long straights that typify the Shawbirch - Cotwall Bank circuit Watts dug deep, burying himself to slowly wind Halford in and finishing in an excellent 21 minutes 4 seconds.

Halford was just 17 seconds off the pace, with these two taking advantage of the favourable easterly wind that assisted riders on the toughest part of the course, the 1.8 mile climb of Cotwall Bank and saw some fast times posted throughout the field.

Halford was caught in an RAF sandwich between Watts and his team mate Jason Walkley, who stopped the watch on 22:34. The only other rider on a 22 mark was 15 year-old Henri Bedford, just two seconds outside equalling his personal best on 22:59 - all the more impressive given the sporting nature of the course.

Best placed amongst the women was Nova Raiders' Jenny Newton who posted a fine effort of 25:36 to push out the challenge of Market Drayton CC's Alison Dockney by 35 seconds, whilst just two riders went head to head in the Road Bike Series with former winner Steve Smith taking an early six points with his 27:01 ride ahead of Mio Kontic on 30:32.

Wrekinsport CC ‘Spring Sprint’ 5 No.2 2019

A lovely evening attracted 20 riders for Wrekinsport's second 'Spring Sprint' 5, with winner Chris Halford repeating his feat of the previous week whilst bettering his time by 38 seconds. Halford stopped the watch on the Crudgington - Shawbirch out and back course in 11 minutes 23 seconds - despite a strong challenge from RAF CA rider Dan Watts. Watts opened his account with a fine effort of 11:55 and was the only non-Wrekinsport rider in the Top 5.

Taking third spot was a slim line Rich Smith, with a clear weight loss over the closed season reaping benefits as his 12:19 surprised Rob Jackson by 7 seconds. Jackson is more accustomed to finishing runner-up behind Halford but himself saw off a strong challenge from team mate Tomos Hales, also by 7 seconds.

Both women in the field put up fine efforts, with Nova Raiders team mates Charlotte Chapman and Deb Hutson-Lumb going head-to-head. Chapman got the better of the contest taking 9th spot overall by just a solitary second under 13 minutes, whilst Hutson-Lumb was 48 seconds back in 11th.  

Result of second 5 mile event held on 10th April

Wrekinsport CC opened their club time trial season with a now traditional 5 mile event accompanied by less than traditional time trialling weather as a definite late winter chill gave competitors something to battle other than the watch. Only removing his gillet at the last possible moment Chris Halford took the top spot that was regularly his in 2018, despite shivering his way around the Crudgington - Shawbirch course by a convincing 51 second margin in a fine 12 minutes 1 second, mauling his usual massive gear.

Halford's closest competition came from a brace of club mates with Rob Jackson helping himself to the runner-up spot in 12:52 whilst Tomos Hales showed convincing early season form exactly a minute back from Halford.  

Designed to get the legs turning after the 'social' season and to provide a way into time trialling for beginners the biting cold put off a number of competitors though still attracted five riders over from Newport with Junior Nathan Hester best placed, taking fourth spot in 13:58.

Result

• Wrekinsport CC ‘Spring Sprint’ 5 No.2 takes place on Wednesday at 6:30pm, all welcome to come and try a time trial. Sign on at The Woolpack, Shawbirch.