Seven Friction Hydraulics Series medals were finally settled in Round 18, Fibrax Wrexham RC’s 25 mile event as Tim Beardmore put up a successful defence of his Overall and Veterans titles with another great win in both competitions in an event marred by a collision that broke the collarbone of Graeme Donnell, putting paid to his strong challenge for a Veterans medal. Held on the Tern Hill – Shawbirch course Beardmore coped best with the gruelling slog south into an energy-sapping cross headwind that did it’s best to put riders to the test, stopping the watch on 54 minutes 34 seconds and setting a fine Veteran’s performance of +13:22 after a season-long battle for supremacy. The maximum 60 points scored for each put the Bridgnorth CC rider beyond reach, with the 1-2-3 on the day matching the cumulative standings exactly. 

Beardmore has had a stellar season, but has been pushed all the way by a friendly rivalry with Bridgnorth team mate Jonathan Mills-Keeling and Wrekinsport’s Tomos Hales in a memorable Series. He has really upped his game in 2022, which is evidenced in his comments: “Delighted to take the Overall and Veterans Friction Hydraulics Series win. I managed to maintain form over the whole Series, with lifetime personal bests at 25 and 50 miles. Thanks to everyone who has ridden and volunteered to make the races happen. The wind made it a really tough race. My plan was go out hard into a cross headwind and hang on for the return leg. My legs were heavy and I had to dig very deep towards the end. Very pleased to get the County win. Saddened to hear of Graeme’s accident, and wish him a speedy recovery”.

Hales took the runner-up spot on the day in 55:18 and sealed the Silver medal with a huge improvement from his 6th place Series finish in 2021 clearly demonstrating his much improved form. His comments demonstrate the friendly rivalry in play as well as how tyough the opening three miles along the Hodnet bypass were: “Happy to take Silver over such a long Series. I had some good results along the way. Congratulations to Tim for the win and to Jonathan for Bronze. It’s been great competing against them all year and been a good laugh. Thanks for everyone’s time and effort that have put races on, and all the marshals that have helped out – we wouldn’t have a sport without you lot. The wind made the first couple of miles very tough, although it seemed to be better on the A442. Overall I am happy with my effort, thanks for Wrexham for hosting and to all the marshals that helped out”.

Mills-Keeling also won the exact same medals as 2021, taking Overall Bronze and Veterans Silver thanks to his 56:39 effort taking third spot on the day, with a +11:04 Veterans Standard capturing the runner-up spot amongst the over-40’s. He commented: “It’s been a great season battling Tim and Tomos. I’m pleased with the results, thanks to all involved throughout the year. It was tough in the wind, but nice to see so many racing. Well done to Tim and Tomos, and thanks to all involved for putting on”.

In the Friction Women’s Series a first 25 ever paid dividends for Paramount CRT’s Hayley Wells as she took a maiden win at her first attempt. Despite the toughness of conditions Wells posted a very strong time of 1:03:51 belying the pre-race nerves she suffered from which rapidly evaporated as she settled in: “This was my first 25 mile time trial and pre-race I felt quite apprehensive due to the strong wind, but as soon as I was on that start line adrenaline kicked in and I was fully in the zone! I felt like I settled into a great rhythm which was helped by plenty of long straights on the course. I actually exceeded my expectations on predicated time, and to be the fastest Shropshire Female was the cherry on the cake, especially against a great field. The whole event was superbly run; with a good amount of marshals around the course offering guidance and support. This always helps ease the nerves. Following the race there was a lovely atmosphere at HQ and of course some delicious cakes and a well earned cuppa”!

Wells pushed Helen Tudor into the runner-up spot by exactly seven minutes, but the Oswestry Paragon rider did enough to seal Friction Women’s Gold, helped by some big point scores at the longest distance earlier in the season. She commented: “I’m very surprised to win as Deb Hutson-Lumb and Emma Serjeant are much stronger riders, but I gained points from doing both 100’s. It was nice to see some new women competing this year – thanks to all the organisers and marshals who make events happen, and to Friction and Hydraulic Services for their continued support of the SCCA”.

In the Friction Junior Series North Shropshire Wheelers Chester Romei earned Junior Series Gold as his giant 175 point lead can no longer be overhauled. The youngster was delighted when told the news, stating: “Over the moon with the achievement, considering it’s my first full time trial season. I couldn’t have asked for anything more”.

Friction and Hydraulic Services Shropshire Championship Points Series – Round 18

Pos’n Forename Surname Club Cat Time Points
1 Tim Beardmore Bridgnorth Cycling Club V 54:34 60
2 Tomos Hales Wrekinsport CC S 55:18 55
3 Jonathan Mills-Keeling Bridgnorth Cycling Club V 56:39 50
4 Christopher Riley Paramount CRT V 58:33 45
5 Robbie Disney Ludlow CC S 59:34 40
6 Jonathan Goh Paramount CRT V 1:00:50 35
7 Ian Connolly Ludlow CC V 1:01:51 30
8 George Coombes Shropshire CCA S 1:02:34 25
9 James Neale North Shropshire Wheelers V 1:02:54 20
10 Adam Mumford Wrekinsport CC S 1:03:42 15
11 Hayley Wells Paramount CRT W 1:03:51 10
12 Gino Trasatti North Shropshire Wheelers V 1:05:42 5
13 Daniel Lamsdell Wrekinsport CC S 1:07:14 5
14 Paul Mulready Bridgnorth Cycling Club V 1:07:39 5
15 Ian Townsend Paramount CRT V 1:10:00 5
16 Helen Tudor Oswestry Paragon CC WV 1:10:51 5
17 Simon Jones Hafren CC V 1:11:12 5
18 Robert Garbett Wrekinsport CC V 1:15:50 5
19 Robert Elliott Wrekinsport CC V 1:23:02 5
20 Stuart Wortley Wrekinsport CC V 1:25:14 5
. Graeme Donnell Revolutions Racing V DNF .
. Deb Hutson-Lumb Wrekinsport CC WV DNF .
. Les Boughey North Shropshire Wheelers V DNS-A .
. James Powell North Shropshire Wheelers V DNS-A .
. Simon Romei Paramount CRT V DNS-A .
. Emma Serjeant Hafren CC WV DNS-A .

Friction and Hydraulic Services Veterans Championship – Round 18

Vets Pos’n Forename Surname Club Cat Vet +/- Vets Points
1 Tim Beardmore Bridgnorth Cycling Club V +13:22 60
2 Jonathan Mills-Keeling Bridgnorth Cycling Club V +11:04 55
3 Christopher Riley Paramount CRT V +10:19 50
4 Gino Trasatti North Shropshire Wheelers V +9:41 45
5 Ian Connolly Ludlow CC V +6:46 40
6 Jonathan Goh Paramount CRT V +5:54 35
7 Helen Tudor Oswestry Paragon CC WV +4:18 30
8 James Neale North Shropshire Wheelers V +3:28 25
9 Paul Mulready Bridgnorth Cycling Club V +0:31 20
10 Ian Townsend Paramount CRT V -1:37 15
11 Simon Jones Hafren CC V -4:05 10
12 Robert Garbett Wrekinsport CC V -5:18 5
13 Robert Elliott Wrekinsport CC V -8:10 5
14 Stuart Wortley Wrekinsport CC V -15:00 5

Friction and Hydraulic Services Women’s Championship – Round 18

Women’s Pos’n Forename Surname Club Cat Time Women’s Points
1 Hayley Wells Paramount CRT W 1:03:51 60
2 Helen Tudor Oswestry Paragon CC WV 1:10:51 55
. Deb Hutson-Lumb Wrekinsport CC WV DNF .
. Emma Serjeant Hafren CC WV DNS-A .

Top Club Award – Round 18

Pos’n Club Points
1 Bridgnorth Cycling Club 115
2 Paramount CRT 95
3 Wrekinsport CC 90
4 Ludlow CC 70
5 North Shropshire Wheelers 25
=6 Hafren CC 5
=6 Oswestry Paragon CC 5

Cumulative Standings after eighteen rounds

Friction and Hydraulic Services Shropshire Championship Points Series

Position Name Club Cat Best 12
1 Tim Beardmore Bridgnorth CC V 725
2 Tomos Hales Wrekinsport CC S 685
3 Jonathan Mills-Keeling Bridgnorth CC V 640
4 Bryn Davies Hafren CC V 475
5 Chris Riley Paramount CRT V 435
6 Graeme Donnell Revolutions Racing V 410
7 Mason Durant Paramount CRT S 305
8 Dean Callister Revolutions Racing S 275
9 Daniel Watts SCCA Private Member S 220
10 James Neale North Shropshire Wheelers S 195

Friction and Hydraulic Services Veterans Championship

Position Name Club Best 12
1 Tim Beardmore Bridgnorth CC 745
2 Jonathan Mills-Keeling Bridgnorth CC 685
=3 Chris Riley Paramount CRT 555
=3 Graeme Donnell Revolutions Racing 555
5 Deb Hutson-Lumb Wrekinsport CC 530
6 Bryn Davies Hafren CC 485
7 Helen Tudor Oswestry Paragon CC 370
8 Emma Serjeant Hafren CC 360
9 Andrew Rose Revolutions Racing 265
10 Robert Elliott Wrekinsport CC 185

Friction and Hydraulic Services Women’s Championship

Women’s Pos’n Name Club Best 12
1 Helen Tudor Oswestry Paragon CC 710
2 Victoria Doran Wrekinsport CC 635
3 Deb Hutson-Lumb Wrekinsport CC 550
4 Emma Serjeant Hafren CC 490
5 Clare O’Donnell Wrekinsport CC 130
6 Helen Blake Wrekinsport CC 90
7 Bethan Till Wrekinsport CC 65
8 Hayley Wells Paramount CRT 60
8 Robin Jones Bridgnorth CC 60
10 Linda Beckett North Shropshire Wheelers 45

Friction and Hydraulic Services Junior Championship

Junior Pos’n Name Club Best 12
1 Chester Romei North Shropshire Wheelers 345
2 Ben Southgate Wrekinsport CC 170
3 Alex Hart Mid Shropshire Wheelers 60
4 Noah White Mid Shropshire Wheelers 45

Top Club Award

Position Club Total Points
1 Wrekinsport CC 1975
2 Bridgnorth CC 1785
3 Paramount CRT 1140
4 Revolutions Racing 985
5 Hafren CC 675
6 North Shropshire Wheelers 445
7 Oswestry Paragon CC 335
8 Ludlow CC 235
9 Holohan Coaching Race Team 165
10 Mid Shropshire Wheelers 15
=11 Newport (Shropshire) CC 5
=11 Nova Raiders  5