The oldest surviving time trial in the world, the Anfield Bicycle Club 100 has long used Shropshire roads almost since its introduction in 1889. In every sense a classic; concerns over unannounced, pop-up road works saw the course switched twice in the run-up to the event before settling on the preferred initial trip from Stanton-upon-the-Hine-Heath to Prees via Tern Hill then four gruelling circuits of Hodnet – Shawbury – Crudgington. Including Round 7 of The Friction Hydraulics Series, bonus points awarded for long distance attracted some of the County’s big hitters and first-timers, with Wrekinsport’s Tomos Hales taking County honours, just missing out on a 25mph average in 4 hours and 31 seconds.

Hales rose to joint top of the Friction Series standings after taking 80 points, pushing out a suffering Tim Beardmore by 2:20. A much improved rider in 2022, Hales also led Wrekinsport back to the head of the Top Club Award standings. Reflecting on a rewarding morning’s work he commented: “Good conditions on a tough course gave me a good start on the 100 mile, although I started to fade on the third and fourth lap around the Anfield course. So close to a sub-four hour ride but I’ll have to do that another time. Thanks for a well organised event; and all the marshals that dedicated their time and early morning”.

Beardmore briefly dropped from the lead of the Friction Series after a spill in Round 6 cost him his race, but ties with Hales at the top thanks to his 4:02:51 effort. He also returned to the head of the Friction Veterans Series after winning this category with a fine Veterans +46:13. However, this took some grit and determination as he explained: “Probably the hardest and most painful 100 I have done despite favourable weather conditions. The first 50 miles went OK although I probably went out slightly hard, but after that my lower back became more and more painful making it impossible to hold a position and put the power out. The last 20 miles was torture. I was just happy to finish in the end and still managed to score some decent points in the Series. Congratulations to Tomos on taking the County win”.

Hales isn’t the only much improved rider as Paramount CRT’s Chris Riley took immediate dividends from his first attempt at the race. Riley led Paramount home to the Team award and took 3rd place Overall with 4:10:32 and Veteran’s runner-up with +43:02. Delighted with his efforts elevating him up to 4th in both Overall and Veteran’s standings he stated: “It doesn’t come more classic than the Anfield 100. I waited far too many years before having a crack and to have done well at County level through the SCCA is just the icing on the cake – thanks to everyone who made it possible“.

Riley’s team mate Simon Romei was one of the first-timers at the distance, which is as much about mental strength as physical, enjoying the experience of a major landmark in the time trialling calendar to take 3rd Veteran in +20:18. The sense of occasion was not lost on him as he commented: “This was my first race at this distance and it was certainly a great race to be involved in; such an historic race which was extremely well organised. A fair and testing course, my aim was to hold a good strong pace at an average of 23mph until the last 3rd of the race where I aimed to go harder and finish strong.  I’m extremely pleased to have finished in 3rd place in the Veteran Category”.

Women were in short supply in this event but that played to Helen Tudor’s advantage as she lifted herself up to the top of the Friction Women’s standings with a fine 5:09:20. The Oswestry Paragon rider loves the long distance events and is already looking forward to the imminent Shropshire Championship 100. She was also pleased to see the Anfield 100 return to the calendar after two years with Covid-19 and road works putting a rare non-war related pause on an otherwise almost perfect continuous run: “Fantastic to have the Anfield 100 back after three years, great effort by all the team. My first 100 on my new bike so pleased to get round without any issues. Now four weeks to get ready for the next one”!

Friction and Hydraulic Services Shropshire Championship Points Series – Round 7

Pos’n Forename Surname Club Cat Time Points
1 Tomos Hales Wrekinsport CC S 4:00:31 80
2 Tim Beardmore Bridgnorth CC V 4:02:51 75
3 Christopher Riley Paramount CRT V 4:10:32 70
4 Robert McGregor Paramount CRT S 4:21:07 65
5 Simon Romei Paramount CRT V 4:23:52 60
6 Adam Mumford Wrekinsport CC S 4:40:29 55
7 Helen Tudor Oswestry Paragon CC WV 5:09:20 50
8 Ashley Kirkham Wrekinsport CC V 5:32:37 45
9 Robert Elliott Wrekinsport CC V 5:55:40 40
. Steve Cornish Mid Shropshire Wheelers V DNF .

Friction and Hydraulic Services Veterans Championship – Round 7

Vets Pos’n Forename Surname Club Cat Vet Std Vets Points
1 Tim Beardmore Bridgnorth CC V +46:13 80
2 Christopher Riley Paramount CRT V +43:02 75
3 Simon Romei Paramount CRT V +20:18 70
4 Helen Tudor Oswestry Paragon CC WV +10:54 65
5 Robert Elliott Wrekinsport CC V -32:11 60
6 Ashley Kirkham Wrekinsport CC V -48:27 55

Friction and Hydraulic Services Women’s Championship – Round 7

Women’s Pos’n Forename Surname Club Cat Time Women’s Points
1 Helen Tudor Oswestry Paragon CC WV 5:09:20 80

Top Club Award – Round 7

Pos’n Club Points
1 Wrekinsport CC 220
2 Paramount CRT 195
3 Bridgnorth CC 75
4 Oswestry Paragon CC 50

Cumulative Standings after seven rounds

Friction and Hydraulic Services Shropshire Championship Points Series

Position Name Club Cat Best 12
=1 Tim Beardmore Bridgnorth CC V 360
=1 Tomos Hales Wrekinsport CC S 360
3 Jonathan Mills-Keeling Bridgnorth CC V 305
=4 Chris Riley Paramount CRT V 205
=4 Graeme Donnell Revolutions Racing V 205
6 Bryn Davies Hafren CC V 180
7 Adam Mumford Wrekinsport CC S 125
8 Daniel Watts SCCA Private Member S 105
9 Helen Tudor Oswestry Paragon CC WV 100
10 Simon Romei Paramount CRT V 80

Friction and Hydraulic Services Veterans Championship

Position Name Club Best 12
1 Tim Beardmore Bridgnorth CC 380
2 Jonathan Mills-Keeling Bridgnorth CC 325
3 Graeme Donnell Revolutions Racing 290
4 Chris Riley Paramount CRT 245
=5 Bryn Davies Hafren CC 180
=5 Helen Tudor Oswestry Paragon CC 180
7 Emma Serjeant Hafren CC 140
8 Robert Elliott Wrekinsport CC 135
9 Simon Romei Paramount CRT 105
10 Victoria Doran Wrekinsport CC 90

Friction and Hydraulic Services Women’s Championship

Women’s Pos’n Name Club Best 12
1 Helen Tudor Oswestry Paragon CC 305
2 Victoria Doran Wrekinsport CC 270
3 Emma Serjeant Hafren CC 190
4 Bethan Till Wrekinsport CC 65
=5 Deb Hutson-Lumb Wrekinsport CC 60
=5 Robin Jones Bridgnorth CC 60
7 Clare O’Donnell Wrekinsport CC 45

Friction and Hydraulic Services Junior Championship

Junior Pos’n Name Club Best 12
1 Chester Romei North Shropshire Wheelers 180
2 Ben Southgate Wrekinsport CC 55

Top Club Award

Position Club Total Points
1 Wrekinsport CC 875
2 Bridgnorth CC 750
3 Paramount CRT 415
4 Revolutions Racing 380
5 Hafren CC 245
6 North Shropshire Wheelers 130
7 Oswestry Paragon CC 100
8 Ludlow CC 30