The destination of seven Friction Hydraulics medals and three Championships was decided in the 18th and penultimate round, North Shropshire Wheelers’ 25. Held on the Tern Hill – Shawbirch course, rain, cold and a strange wind resistance that seemed localised and affected leading riders in different ways saw Mid Shropshire Wheelers’ Victor Chetta take the win by a narrow 24 seconds from Paramount’s Simon Romei. Chetta stopped the watch on 54 minutes 37 seconds, feeling that air resistance on the outward leg to Shawbirch on a day not conducive to the fastest times. He commented: “My power output was reasonable, but it didn’t seem to be a particularly fast day – the forecast tailwind on the southward leg down to Shawbirch didn’t seem to materialise as it actually felt rather slow and draggy in that direction, with the return leg feeling a bit quicker in comparison – thanks to North Shropshire Wheelers for the very friendly atmosphere at HQ and out on the course”.

Starting just five minutes ahead of Chetta on the road, Simon Romei felt exactly the opposite about the strange conditions, citing a fast leg southwards but struggling on the long return to Espley island. His 55:01 took runner-up spot by exactly a minute from Wrekinsport’s Tomos Hales – and in exactly the same time as his previous attempt at this well used course: “Firstly thank you to all the marshals and the first class organisation. My race went well, a solid first leg out to Shawbirch island which felt quick; but onto the return leg which didn’t feel as quick, especially on some of the rises – along with the typical British weather! But I was very happy to take County runner up with an identical time to the last time I raced this course”.

Hales’ 56:01 gave him the points he needed to seal Friction Hydraulics Bronze, the final medal in the Overall Series as he also led Wrekinsport into a 225 point lead over Paramount in the Top Club Award with just one round to go. He seemed to suffer along the final leg along the Hodnet bypass, the third different, conflicting report on wind conditions which usually indicates very light, changeable or practically no wind because things feel difficult all the way round belied by the times: “I struggled to get going on the North Shropshire Wheelers’ 25. The tough leg back to the finish didn’t help my morale, but i got round – thanks to North Shropshire Wheelers for hosting. I was happy to take Bronze in the Friction Series, I had a busy start to the season so missed a few early races. I have had some good results throughout and it is a great Series to take part in. Well done to Tim Beradmore for taking back to back Friction titles; and thanks to all the clubs that host a race”.

Beardmore had already hung his race wheels up for the season after recapturing the Friction Series title following Round 16, but was beaten at the last to the Friction Veterans title by Deb Hutson-Lumb who also sealed victory in the Friction Women’s Series with wins in both categories. Hutson-Lumb recorded a fine +16:21 in the Veterans for a clear win over Chetta on +12:18, and pushed out a strong challenge from Women’s Bronze medallist Hayley Wells, just missing out on beating the hour in a fabulous 1:00:16 to take victory on the morning by 1:30. Delicately negotiating greasy islands left slippery by diesel potentially cost her getting under the hour, but she was delighted to seal double Series wins whilst having encouraging words for a fast-improving and competitive Wells: “My race went better than expected having just come back from a week’s holiday – no power drop off and I could probably have pushed on more. Rain just before right turn at Hodnet island had me tiptoeing around both that and the left to the finish – many thanks to all helping run the event on a cool, damp morning. I was super pleased to win both Veterans and Women’s Series, especially after a poor start to the season which nearly had me hanging up my race wheels. I’m expecting to be pushed hard in the Women’s next year by Hayley Wells. I’m looking forward to 2024 and hopefully a stronger, more consistent performance”.

Beardmore was also looking forward to 2024 and had no regrets about being pushed into the Silver medal position by Hutson-Lumb, with some kind words for her: “Congratulations to Deb on winning Veterans Gold; I think see beat me on age adjusted time in all our head-to-heads except one race, so she fully deserves the win. I’m satisfied with my Overall Series performances but I hope to come back stronger next season”.

The final medal in the Veterans was taken by Jonathan Mills-Keeling, who also had a morning off. When told he had taken Bronze he commented: “It’s been a good season, I’ve enjoyed it. Pleased to get Friction Veterans Bronze, thanks to all for putting the racing on”.

Whilst Helen Tudor finished third Woman on the day her 1:08:35 assured her of Women’s Silver. The Oswestry Paragon rider reflected on a packed season of racing that means there are plenty to events to target in the County: “Another good season of racing we are lucky to have so many events to choose from, thanks to all who made it happen. Well done to Deb taking Gold”

Chester Romei sealed Friction Junior Gold thanks to a strong effort of 1:03:40; good enough for 11th place overall and has developed into a solid rider this season. Like father Simon he suffered a little in the chill and wet but extended his lead to 65 points with just 60 points available. He stated: “Not my best of days due to a heavy week’s racing and unfavourable conditions. However I want to say thanks to the marshals for standing out in the wind and drizzle supporting and making sure the event ran smoothly”.

Friction and Hydraulic Services Shropshire Championship Points Series – Round 18

Pos’n Forename Surname Club Cat Time Points
1 Victor Chetta Mid Shropshire Wheelers V 54:37 60
2 Simon Romei Paramount CRT V 55:01 55
3 Tomos Hales Wrekinsport CC S 56:01 50
4 Bryn Davies Hafren CC V 58:16 45
5 Philip Roberts Wrekinsport CC S 59:33 40
6 Deb Hutson-Lumb Wrekinsport CC WV 1:00:16 35
7 Hayley Wells Paramount CRT W 1:01:46 30
8 Ian Connolly Ludlow CC V 1:01:56 25
9 Adam Mumford Wrekinsport CC S 1:02:21 20
10 George Coombes Newport (Shropshire) CC S 1:02:57 15
11 Chester Romei Paramount CRT J 1:03:40 10
12 Alex Hall Wrekinsport CC S 1:03:50 5
13 Philip Gardner Mid Shropshire Wheelers V 1:05:26 5
14 Dave Moore Wrekinsport CC V 1:06:46 5
15 Simon Jones Hafren CC V 1:06:52 5
16 Helen Tudor Oswestry Paragon CC WV 1:08:35 5
17 Jamie Rossiter North Shropshire Wheelers S 1:08:37 5
18 Les Boughey North Shropshire Wheelers V 1:09:34 5
19 Colin Wells Paramount CRT V 1:09:36 5
20 Kathryn Rossiter North Shropshire Wheelers WV 1:13:06 5
21 Geoff Edgerton North Shropshire Wheelers V 1:14:48 5
22 Terry Price North Shropshire Wheelers V 1:20:58 5
. Linda Beckett North Shropshire Wheelers WV DNS-A .
. Jenny York Mid Shropshire Wheelers WV DNS-A .
. James Neale North Shropshire Wheelers V DNS-A .
. Rob Kerr Oswestry Paragon CC V DNS .
. James Powell North Shropshire Wheelers V DNS .

Friction and Hydraulic Services Veterans Championship – Round 18

Vets Pos’n Forename Surname Club Cat Vet +/- Vets Points
1 Deb Hutson-Lumb Wrekinsport CC WV +16:21 60
2 Victor Chetta Mid Shropshire Wheelers V +12:18 55
3 Simon Romei Paramount CRT V +12:06 50
4 Bryn Davies Hafren CC V +9:40 45
5 Ian Connolly Ludlow CC V +6:56 40
6 Helen Tudor Oswestry Paragon CC WV +6:50 35
7 Philip Gardner Mid Shropshire Wheelers V +3:41 30
8 Dave Moore Wrekinsport CC V +3:28 25
9 Kathryn Rossiter North Shropshire Wheelers WV +2:54 20
10 Geoff Edgerton North Shropshire Wheelers V +2:53 15
11 Colin Wells Paramount CRT V +2:17 10
12 Jamie Rossiter North Shropshire Wheelers S +1:19 5
13 Les Boughey North Shropshire Wheelers V +0:58 5
14 Simon Jones Hafren CC V +0:27 5
15 Terry Price North Shropshire Wheelers V -13:02 5

Friction and Hydraulic Services Women’s Championship – Round 18

Women’s Pos’n Forename Surname Club Cat Time Women’s Points
1 Deb Hutson-Lumb Wrekinsport CC WV 1:00:16 60
2 Hayley Wells Paramount CRT W 1:01:46 55
3 Helen Tudor Oswestry Paragon CC WV 1:08:35 50
4 Kathryn Rossiter North Shropshire Wheelers WV 1:13:06 45
. Linda Beckett North Shropshire Wheelers WV DNS-A .
. Jenny York Mid Shropshire Wheelers WV DNS-A .

Friction and Hydraulic Services Junior Championship – Round 18

Junior Pos’n Forename Surname Club Cat Time Junior Points
1 Chester Romei Paramount CRT J 1:03:40 60

Top Club Award – Round 18

Pos’n Club Points
1 Wrekinsport CC 155
2 Paramount CRT 100
3 Mid Shropshire Wheelers 65
4 Hafren CC 50
=5 Ludlow CC 25
=5 North Shropshire Wheelers 25
7 Newport (Shropshire) CC 15
8 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 Cycling Club V 685
2 Jonathan Mills-Keeling Bridgnorth Cycling Club V 615
3 Tomos Hales Wrekinsport CC S 525
4 Christopher Riley Paramount CRT V 390
5 James Neale North Shropshire Wheelers V 370
6 Victor Chetta Mid Shropshire Wheelers V 330
=7 Deb Hutson-Lumb Wrekinsport CC WV 325
=7 Simon Romei Paramount CRT V 325
9 Dean Callister Revolutions Racing S 300
10 Bryn Davies Hafren CC V 270

Friction and Hydraulic Services Veterans Championship

Vets Position Name Club Best 12
1 Deb Hutson-Lumb Wrekinsport CC 725
2 Tim Beardmore Bridgnorth Cycling Club 700
3 Jonathan Mills-Keeling Bridgnorth Cycling Club 650
4 Christopher Riley Paramount CRT 475
5 Helen Tudor Oswestry Paragon CC 435
6 James Neale North Shropshire Wheelers 345
7 Simon Romei Paramount CRT 305
8 Victor Chetta Mid Shropshire Wheelers 305
9 Bryn Davies Hafren CC 300
10 Paul Duncan Mid Shropshire Wheelers 240

Friction and Hydraulic Services Women’s Championship

Women’s Pos’n Name Club Best 12
1 Deb Hutson-Lumb Wrekinsport CC 730
2 Helen Tudor Oswestry Paragon CC 680
3 Hayley Wells Paramount CRT 540
4 Victoria Doran Wrekinsport CC 235
5 Linda Beckett North Shropshire Wheelers 155
6 Jenny York Mid Shropshire Wheelers 130
7 Jayne Powell Paramount CRT 120
8 Bethan Till Wrekinsport CC 115
9 Thea Osmund-Smith Paramount CRT 100
10 Catherine Coley Bridgnorth CC 60

Friction and Hydraulic Services Junior Championship

Junior Pos’n Name Club Best 12
1 Chester Romei Paramount CRT 180
2 Ben Southgate Wrekinsport CC 115
3 Tristan Harvey Ludlow CC 60

Top Club Award

Position Club Total Points
1 Wrekinsport CC 1690
2 Paramount CRT 1465
3 Bridgnorth Cycling Club 1415
4 Mid Shropshire Wheelers 810
5 North Shropshire Wheelers 575
6 Hafren CC 515
7 Oswestry Paragon CC 335
8 Ludlow CC 325
9 Revolutions Racing 300
10 Newport (Shropshire) CC 25