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Round 1 of the BBR Opticians Hill Climb Series saw a big surprise as Tomos Hales took the win ahead of a strong field of 25 riders in Wrekinsport CC’s Willomoor Bank climb. Ramping to 15% at the end, the rolling approach requires tactical prowess as going too hard on the lower slopes can come back to bite as the road turns skywards, whilst going too conservatively can also backfire. Hales won the one mile climb in 3 minutes 40 seconds, taking the huge scalp of the reigning and multiple hill climb champion Kirk Vickers by one second. Hales’ form has been excellent all season, but having won Silver in 2021 he clearly has his eyes on the bigger prize. His comments showed how local knowledge was put to good use: “Ecstatic to win the Wrekinsport hill climb, I’ve been up that climb countless times. I had a very good bottom section and managed to hang on up the steep stuff. Very close with Kirk and got lucky to beat him by a second, I’m just happy to be able to compete with such a class rider. Thanks for Wrekinsport for hosting and everyone that helped out”.

Vickers is unlikely to take things easy in later Series events in this short, sharp season-ending competition and is almost certain to come back all the harder given an unerring ability to push himself to the ragged edge. His comments showed how tricky it can be to judge pacing on the lower slopes correctly: “Always a crucial one to get the pacing right, I saved a lot for the end and had a strong finish. Well done all riders; and Tomos Hales with a strong ride”.

Hill climbing is a discipline where younger riders tend to have an advantage, but you wouldn’t have known it judging by Steven Prince’s ride as he took the Overall win in the over-40’s Veteran’s category as well as third place overall in an excellent 3:55. Prince missed all but one event in 2021 due to suffering from Covid-19 but appears determined to make up for missing out on his preferred discipline in 2022. Like Vickers he saved something for the final lung-bursting effort at the end: “I’ve only done this climb once before in 2018 but remembered the nasty ramp at the end so tried to save a bit for that. I beat my personal best by nearly 15 seconds so a great way to start the season. It was a cracking time by Tomos for the win; and thanks Wrekinsport for hosting and the marshals and timekeepers”.

Taking the maximum 20 Veteran’s points on offer for affiliated riders was Bridgnorth CC’s Scott Palmer with a fine 4:13. Palmer won three events in the Veterans Series in 2021 and knows all about this climb, but his comments echo the difficulty judging exactly how to tackle this switchback course: “Not getting my pacing right on the Wrekin two years ago I tried a different approach, but still too conservative. A personal best nonetheless, but I could have gone better”.

One encouraging sight was the number of females in competition, but with the presence of multiple hill climb course record holder Rebecca Richardson and her amazing string-wheeled Specialized Aethos bike, weighing in at just 4.7kg you could probably have safely bet your house on who the winner was going to be. Richardson was very close to her 2021 effort with a fabulous 4:07, taking fourth spot overall. Richardson is, as usual, using these events as great preparation for a tilt at the National title and stated: “A great evening for racing hills, warm sun and good support on steepest part of the climb, in the ‘death zone’ feeling like a zombie! Thank you to Wrekinsport CC”.

Richardson has risen to National standard after discovering a superb ability riding Shropshire events; and the pull of the short, sharp pain fest was not lost on first-timer Hayley Wells of Paramount CRT, who took the 20 points on offer for affiliated riders with a fine effort of 4:59: “Another new challenge to tackle and dare I say addictive!? Round 1 was about pacing the first two inclines then saving enough for the last kicker! It was fabulous to have riders standing on the final corner encouraging everyone through to empty the tank”!

In the Junior competition Mid Shropshire Wheelers’ Alex Hart nearly had a disaster due to a kit error, but somehow still managed to finish equal 5^th in 4:09. He explained: “I made a mistake at Round 1 forgetting my shoes and having to ride in my pumps”! Thankfully despite not having ideal contact with his pedals the youngster still managed to pull an excellent climb out of the bag. 

Riders wilted in the oppressive heat of Round 17 of The Friction Hydraulics Series as Wrekinsport CC presented their 10 mile Open on the Hopton Chapel – Tern Hill course in baking conditions that affected some more than others. Post-race comments showed just how much some riders struggled, as despite scorching conditions which usually produce the fastest times the sheer power of the sun caused some to suffer badly. One rider however seemed to be unaffected as Tomos Hales took his first ever Open win in a great time of 21 minutes 8 seconds. Hales was also happy to win his own club’s event and lead the club to stretching their advantage in the Top Club Award to 215 points as the club home in on their 100^th anniversary target of a first victory in this competition since 2014, but with three rounds to go it is all to play for.

Hales had spent the week racing in the heat and had most likely got used to the change of core operating temperature, and was self-deprecating in his comments: “Very happy with my first ever open win, and made even better that it was hosted by my own club Wrekinsport. It was the hottest conditions I have ever raced in and I think I just suffered less than everyone else. I had raced earlier that week in the heat and maybe I adapted to it. Just who would have thought a ginger would have won in that heat! Thanks for Wrekinsport for it organising, and all the marshals that had to put up with the heat”.

Revolutions Racing’s Dean Callister took the runner-up spot 10 seconds behind Hales in 21:18 and showed graphically how he knew things were not going to be easy just getting the four miles from HQ at Shawbury to the start line: “I’ve never raced in temperatures like that so was unsure how the body would react. I knew I was in trouble when warming up. I faded a lot on the return leg with nothing to give. Well done to Tomos for his first open win”.

Series leader Tim Beardmore also suffered, with what hot air was available in the relatively still conditions affecting his normal power output significantly as he crossed the line in 21:35: “Hottest race I think I’ve ever done, not a particularly pleasant experience. I really struggled with my breathing and it felt like there was no oxygen, consequently my power was well down. I was very happy to finish the race. Well done to Tomos who seemed to be the only rider to cope with the conditions; and thanks to all at Wrekinsport for organising”. Reigning Series Champion Beardmore now holds a 45 point lead over Hales, who finally overtook Beardmore’s Bridgnorth CC team mate into the Silver medal position.

Beardmore now has a lead of 65 points in the Friction Veterans Series from Mills-Keeling after taking the runner-up spot on the day in +5:16. But there was no stopping Deb Hutson-Lumb as she took victory in +6:28 as well as the win in the Friction Women’s Series with a fine ride of 23:40. However she showed the effect the temperature had on racing at speed in her post-race comments: “I’ve never raced in those temperatures before or sat up for a drink on a 10. My heart rate was through the roof before the turn. I was glad to finish and drip my way back to HQ - kudos to everyone who raced, and massive thanks to marshals standing out in the baking heat”.

Friction and Hydraulic Services Shropshire Championship Points Series – Round 17

The final medals were resolved in Round 15 of The Decathlon Evening 10 Series by Wrekinsport as the Series winner took a back seat for once – riding a tandem. Oliver Rodwell took full advantage to take the solo win in 23:01 on a generally slow evening, with several riders commenting about the ‘thickness’ of the air. Rodwell beat Series Silver medallist Phil Roberts by 42 seconds, whilst Richard Howes put in a strong ride to take third spot in 24:13.

It was a straight head-to-head battle between Ben Wood and Dave Moore for Gold and Silver in the Road Bike Series – but Deb Hutson-Lumb split the pair after unexpectedly turning up on her road bike for the final race after having already sealed Women’s Gold, and was the only female in competition. Wood took Gold with a fine effort of 25:40, with Moore taking the Silver using a single speed bike thanks to a 26:41 effort. Hutson-Lumb took second spot on the night in 26:13.

But the unusual sight of Series winner Tomos Hales on the back of a tandem was an intriguing prospect as he partnered Chris Riley in his first ever attempt on a bicycle made for two. Hales certainly took to the discipline, finishing in 21:08 and noticeably faster than the rest of the field passing the finish line for the first time, with Riley commenting post-race how he’d never gone faster. 

Decathlon Series by Wrekinsport Final Cumulative Standings after fifteen rounds

Road Bike Series Final Cumulative Standings after fifteen rounds

Women’s Series Final Cumulative Standings after fifteen rounds

Final club 10 of the Wrekinsport season

Tandem

The destinations of six medals were sealed in Round 14 of the Decathlon Evening 10 Series by Wrekinsport – despite Chris Halford finally getting the better of Tomos Hales. Halford roared to victory in 21 minutes 58 seconds with Hales feeling decidedly jaded after racing his fourth event in five days in red hot conditions that sapped the strength. Halford took 17 seconds out of Hales, who had to settle for the runner-up spot on the night, but finally brought home Series Gold after going head-to-head with Phil Roberts for the title all season with one round remaining. Roberts gained the Silver meadl for his efforts.

Taking third spot on the night and in the Overall Series was 15 year-old Ben Southgate who has markedly improved as the season has progressed. Southgate stopped the watch on 23:36, 16 seconds ahead of Adam Mumford to take a well-deserved medal after being competitive all season.

In the Road Bike Series Ben Wood took a vital extra point to open up a two point lead at the head of this Series from Dave Moore thanks to a 25:21 effort, with Moore finishing in 26:11. The battle for Gold and Silver will go down to the wire, but Stuart Wortley did enough to take Road Bike Bronze thanks to his 31:40 ride.

Deb Hutson-Lumb took Women’s Gold in Round 13 and posted an excellent 24:04 to seal things with another win – good enough for 5^th spot on the night. That saw the Silver and Bronze resolved with Clare O'Donnell taking Women’s Silver and Clare Cotterill the Bronze.   

Decathlon Series by Wrekinsport Cumulative Standings after fourteen rounds

Road Bike Series Cumulative Standings after fourteen rounds

Women’s Series Cumulative Standings after fourteen rounds

Deb Hutson-Lumb sealed the Women’s Evening 10 title in Round 13 of the Decathlon Evening 10 Series by Wrekinsport despite a hampering northerly wind that affected riders on the long mile straight between Shawbirch and Long Lane. Hutson-Lumb was 23 seconds down on her Round 12 time, showing the trickiness of the evening, but crossed the line spent with a great effort of 24 minutes 10 seconds, taking 5^th spot on the evening Overall.   

Tomos Hales returned to his normal winning ways, taking the Overall win in 22:13 an doubling his lead over Phil Roberts to a still slim two points with two rounds remaining. Roberts took Overall runner-up in 23:06, 26 seconds ahead of Stourbridge Velo's Darren Shaw.

In the Road Bike Series club chairman Dave Moore made hay whilst the sun shone thanks to the absence of Series leader Ben Wood, taking the win on a 29” wheeled fixed geared bike in 26:38, leaving all to play for in the final two rounds with just a single point now separating the pair. 

Decathlon Series by Wrekinsport Cumulative Standings after thirteen rounds

Road Bike Series Cumulative Standings after thirteen rounds

Women’s Series Cumulative Standings after thirteen rounds

Bridgnorth CC’s Tim Beardmore took the win in Round 12 of the Decathlon Evening 10 Series by Wrekinsport on a warm evening ahead of a good field of 20 solo riders plus a tandem. Beardmore crossed the line in 21 minutes 36 seconds showing just why he is County Champion – as Tomos Hales for once had to be content with the runner-up spot. Hales returned to the top of the Series by just a solitary point with a solid effort of 22:01, beating off the attentions of Chris Halford by eight seconds.

In the Road Bike Series Ben Wood took the win in 25:16 with the closest rider Swansea University Cycling Team’s Oscar Johnstone in 26:43. With six competitors on road bikes this is the largest turnout of the season with Clare Cotterill taking third spot in 29:36. Cotterill was runner-up in the Women's event as there was no stopping Deb Hutson-Lumb with a fabulous effort of 23:47 – good enough for equal 7^th Overall.     

Decathlon Series by Wrekinsport Cumulative Standings after twelve rounds

Road Bike Series Cumulative Standings after twelve rounds

Women’s Series Cumulative Standings after twelve rounds