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Road bikes in italics

Road bikes in italics

16 year old Ben Southgate headed to the top of the Decathlon Evening 10 Series by Wrekinsport as he took full advantage of the absence of former Series leader Tomos Hales, who was at a training camp in Majorca. Southgate was the best placed of the Wrekinsport rider in Round 4, taking third spot Overall behind two visiting riders. The youngster stopped the watch on 23 minutes 36 seconds to open a narrow single point gap over Alex Hall, some 31 seconds back.

The Overall win went to Bridgnorth CC’s Tim Beardmore, pushing a huge 62 tooth chain ring with ease despite the lumpy nature of the Shawbirch – Cotwall Bank course. Beardmore had a comfortable 50 second advantage over Paramount’s Chris Riley after crossing the line in 22:15 on an evening where progress was hampered along the back leg of the course thanks to a southerly wind.

In the Road Bike Series David Seager took the win in 27:56 to move to one point behind an absent Series leader Elliott Wills, with Revolutions Racing’s Steve Elcocks taking runner-up in 28:13 despite still feeling the effect on an 800 mile training break in Majorca weighing heavy on his legs.        

Decathlon Series by Wrekinsport Cumulative Standings after four rounds

Road Bike Series Cumulative Standings after four rounds

Women’s Series Cumulative Standings after four rounds

Dean Callister took his second win of the SB Sports Injuries Series as he made up ground in Round 4, Wrekinsport CC’s Hannah Phipps-Jones 19. Held over two laps of the Shawbirch – Cotwall Bank course, less fit riders can find it a struggle to take on the lumpy circuit for a second time – but not Callister who was already 49 seconds to the good at the 10 mile point, and looking determined. The Revolutions Racing rider stretched that lead to 1:54 by the finish, stopping the watch on 40 minutes 27 seconds after upping his pace for the second lap – a ‘negative split’ strategy shared with his fellow podium riders. This elevated him into third spot in the Overall series standings as he looks to reel in the advantage of the leading pair Tomos Hales and Jonathan Mills-Keeling. Callister commented: “My legs felt good and I built into the ride with a strong second lap. Decent conditions with a push up Cotwall Bank, I was pleased with a course personal best and a win on the night - thanks to Wrekinsport for a good night’s racing”.

Things closed up at the top with Bridgnorth CC’s Jonathan Mills-Keeling involved in a close battle with Wrekinsport’s Tomos Hales, the Series leader. At the 10 mile mark Mills-Keeling had the edge by eight seconds, with Hales clawing just two back over the second lap, showing how similar the pair’s abilities and strategies are. Mills-Keeling halved the advantage of Hales to the narrowest possible – just two points with a fine effort of 42:21, also taking victory in the Veteran’s competition with +9:02 ahead of Paramount’s Chris Riley on +8:19, adding a further two points to the gap between the leading pair in the SB Veterans Series. Like Callister, Mills-Keeling was also in personal best territory, stating: “I always enjoy the Wrekinsport CC mid week time trials. I did a personal best on the course; two laps makes for double the fun! I paced it sensibly with a nice tailwind up the hill, thanks to all involved for putting on”.

Hales took the honours for the promoting club in 42:27 to take third spot on the night and commented on the friendly rivalry with Mills-Keeling which spurred him on: “Good conditions for the two-lapper. Jon and I tend to go off a bit too quick so that would suggest the similar pace. Congratulations to Jon for a great time, and well done to Dean who produced an amazing time - thanks for Wrekinsport for hosting”. 

SB Junior Series leader Ben Southgate added another 20 points to his advantage with a solid effort of 46:06, managing to usurp his minute man Phil Roberts right at the close to finish one second ahead on the road after a determined chase down the mile straight. He stated: “My legs felt great, but I got caught in traffic on the final lap”.

In the Women’s race Emma Horne took the victory on a time trial bike in 50:58, with Deb Hutson-Lumb taking the maximum 20 points on offer in the SB Women’s Series electing to ride her road machine. Her 53:13 elevated her into the lead of the Women’s Series by just two points, taking over from Helen Tudor.

Tomos Hales took the win in Round 3 of The Decathlon Evening 10 series by Wrekinsport – despite the weight of the London Marathon being in his legs. Hales was 49 seconds down on his Round 2 effort with a creditable 22 minutes 30 seconds, a factor of that huge run sapping his strength and noticeably less windier conditions than the week before, even though the wind was still in the best direction for the Shawbirch - Cotwall Bank circuit, an easterly. Hales extended his Series lead to a commanding seven points as he sets out a strong defence of his title.

Hales margin of victory was a comfortable 1:15 over Alex Hall, improving by 31 seconds to take the runner-up spot in 23:45, with club Junior Ben Southgate rounding out the podium positions in 24 minutes exactly.   

Elliott Wills also looked to take maximum points in the Road Bike Series – but it was a close call. Wills improved by 41 seconds to stop the watch in 27:56, just seven seconds ahead of a first ever appearance for Dave Seager, setting an impressive time of 28:03. 

Decathlon Series by Wrekinsport Cumulative Standings after three rounds

Road Bike Series Cumulative Standings after three rounds

Women’s Series Cumulative Standings after three rounds

Road bikes in italics

Tandem:

With Round 1 cancelled due to safety concerns thanks to troublesome, gusting 42mph winds there was a belated start to the Decathlon Evening 10 Series by Wrekinsport which saw 20 riders take the opportunity to try their luck on a fast evening. A rare, strong but not gale force easterly wind helped riders up the toughest part of the circuit, Cotwall Bank; with the top end of the field reporting an ability to sustain 25mph easily on the steepest section. The favourable weather saw Revolutions Racing’s Dean Callister take the win in an excellent 20 minutes 57 seconds – some effort given the best time recorded by anyone throughout 2022 was 21:28, ably demonstrating conditions.

Callister’s nearest challenge came from Tomos Hales, taking the honours for the promoting club in 21:41 and setting out an immediate defence as the reigning Series Champion. Hales was on great form, with Phil Roberts fully 50 seconds further back taking the final podium position.

In the Road Bike category visiting Scottish rider Hamish Maclean of Musselburgh Roads CC took a fabulous win by well over three minutes in 25:07, whilst Elliott Wills took the maximum six points on offer for Wrekinsport members in 28:37. With only one female racing Mollie Croxon took an immediate six point lead in the Women’s Series after finishing in 30:56.

Road Bikes in italics

Road bikes in italics