R8 SB Sports Injuries Series: Wrekinsport CC Gordon Davies 21

Dean Callister smashed his own course record in Round 8 of the SB Sports Injuries Series, Wrekinsport CC’s Gordon Davies 21 on a warm but windy evening. Held over two laps of the Tiddly circuit, Callister sliced 16 seconds off that record set only in Round 4 with a superb effort of 43 minutes 33 seconds ina tight battle with Tomos Hales. Split by just eight seconds at the 10 mile point Callister wound the pace up to come home with a 27 second advantage and a new course record – despite that wind. He stated: “Conditions didn’t feel fast with it being very gusty but was a warm evening. My legs felt good and I paced it well. I was surprised to knock some more time off my previous Course Record, so very happy with that, thanks to all involved”.

Hales finished in 44 minutes exactly and halved the gap to Series leader Jonathan Mills-Keeling to the narrowest possible – two points – after pushing the Aerologic rider into third place on the evening. Hales commented: “I enjoyed the Tiddly two-lapper. I managed to hold consistent power for the whole duration, and my pacing was on point for a change. Well done to Dean for the win, and thanks for Wrekinsport for hosting”.

Mills-Keeling finished in 46:17 for that 3^rd place and was Veteran’s runner-up behind Chris Riley after registering a strong +10:47, just 11 seconds behind the Paramount rider. This narrowed the gap at the top of the Veterans standings which Mills-Keeling also leads, but by a very impressive margin, making barely a dent as he holds onto a huge 62 point advantage. Mills-Keeling appeared to struggle getting going from his post-race comments: “A nice evening of racing, the first lap was a struggle but on the second lap I got into a better rhythm. Some fast times, great for Dean to take the win and another course record”.

Riley was pleased with his second Veterans maximum of the Series, registering +10:58 based on an actual 47:02 in this age-adjusted competition, as well as enjoying his evening’s racing: “The Tiddly is a great little course and two laps is a real workout. Lovely to take the Veterans 20 points on the age card, but what a great performance from the fast riders – thanks Wrekinsport”.

Mills-Keeling isn’t the only rider holding a huge Series lead as Hayley Wells took another fine win in the Female Series and extended her lead to 64 points. Wells scored a fabulous 49:05 after a miserable time in Round 4 saw her severely baulked by farm traffic. She stated: “The weather was more favourable compared to a couple of months ago on the course – and no tractor hold ups this time! It was another great evening of racing, well done to Dean for the Course Record”.

Wells beat first time entrant to the 2024 Series Deb Hutson-Lumb, but she didn’t go home empty handed with a win in the Road Bike Series with an adjusted 47:32 in this age and gender handicap competition. Hutson-Lumb had little choice in the matter if she wanted to race however, as she explained: “With my time trial bike in bits it was a good opportunity to test a new road bike. I started off well, but back pain on the second lap resulted in a lot of sitting up – bike tweaks required. A good evening despite the strong breeze, thanks to everyone involved”.

Hutson-Lumb wasn’t the only debutant in the 2024 as Newport CC Junior Ben Bramford-Hale took the step up for his longest time trial yet – and coped admirably. Bramford-Hale has been a regular attendee at Wrekinsport 10 mile club events, but tried his luck at the longer distance, crossing the line in a very respectable 54:16. He even managed to set a 10 mile personal best of 25:55 along the way at the end of the first lap. He commented: “I started time trialling this season at the weekly Wrekinsport time trial events, where the support and advice from the friendly organisers and other riders has been brilliant.  For the step up to 21 miles I tried to focus on pacing myself so the speed was consistent throughout. I was pleased with the result, and I’m looking forward to doing other longer distances to get even better with judging pace. The time trials are really helping my racing overall”.

• With the race a memorial to former Wrekinsport Secretary Gordon Davies one rider was determined to honour his late uncle as Paramount’s Keith Davies made a rare appearance at a time trial in a lovely family connection. Davies ended his evening out on 1:01:11, and with a great deal of satisfaction, bringing back memories of his uncle: “It was a privilege and honour to ride the Wrekinsport TT on the Tiddly course the club kindly runs in memory of my late uncle, Gordon Davies. Gordon helped build my first bike using an Ernie Clements frame that I used when the club 10 mile time trials used to run from The Gate at Bratton. I think it rekindled his love for cycling and he became again an avid rider over various time distances. Many thanks again for running the annual event in his name, and to all who organised last night.  I hope to be back next year and may even beat the hour”!

Full:

Veterans:

Females:

Road Bikes:

Juniors:

Cumulative Standings after eight rounds

Overall

Veterans

Road Bike:

Females:

Juniors