R6 Mower Mec 2-Up Series: Wrekinsport CC 10

Two pairs of medals were sealed following the penultimate Round 6 of the Mower Mec 2-Up Series, The Wrekinsport 10 – as the Series Champions were pushed out for the first time. Held on the brand new ‘Frying Pan’ 10, so named because of its shape when viewed on a map; the two riders battling for Wrekinsport’s individual club series honours as well as club 2-Up honours teamed up and took the win on their first 2026 Mower Mec entry; as Oli Freeman and Ben Wood stopped the watch on 21 minutes 36 seconds.

This event was supposed to be the first use of this course, taking in Long Lane – Shawbirch – Crudgington – Shawbirch – Long Lane; but it had to be brought into unexpected early use due to road works a couple of weeks earlier, giving the Wrekinsport pair an insight into how to ride this instantly popular course – and up their game for the increased level of competition. That carrot; and the club level 2-Up practice proved decisive, as Wood explained: “I was very pleased with both the result and the time. Oli and I have done a couple of 2-Ups recently, so we have been learning limits and improving each time, but this one was way beyond anything we have done before. He has been in stellar form all season, and I’ve been delighted to ride with him. Massive thank you to all that make it happen; we couldn’t do anything without all off the volunteers that time us and keep us safe”.

Freeman also pointed out the combination of familiarity and knowing each other’s strengths held them in good stead: “This was my second opportunity to ride the new ‘Frying Pan 10’ course, this time in a 2-Up format with Ben, which was our third time riding a 2-Up together, along with our first appearance in the Mower Mec Series. I was really pleased with how we rode, working together, and both digging deep and pushing hard in the last few miles. As always, a huge thank you to the organisers and all of the volunteers who make these events happen”.

The Series Champions got a shock as they ended up in the runners-up spot for the first time on 22:09, pushing out another Wrekinsport pair, Phil Roberts and Chris Staples into third spot in 22:54. Riley was extremely complementary about the event, his team mate and getting beaten for the first time in 2026, stating: “Another great event in what has been a most enjoyable 2-Up series in 2026. My friend and partner for these events has become a very smooth and extremely quick rider these last few seasons. It’s been a joy to follow that wheel despite my suffering. A second place behind Wrekinsport strong men Ben and Oli is definitely something to be proud of. It was also a good first crack at the ‘Frying Pan’ 10 mile course, which is a cracker. Thanks everyone at Wrekinsport for a brilliant evening; a new course for me yet so familiar, it’s a good one and works well for the timekeeping team. It was a lovely evening; we have been spoiled by such prolonged good weather – looking forward to an Autumn 10 in the wind and rain”.

McGregor revealed that despite that loss the Paramount pair posted their fastest of 2026, adding: “I really enjoyed the event, it was a new course for me and my legs felt good. We worked really well together and did our fastest ride this year with a 27 mph average. There was a big field for an evening event which gave it a great atmosphere. Congratulations to Oli and Ben on taking the win with a fantastic time”!

Roberts and Staples have been riding 2-Up and club –Up formats all years, so had plenty of knowledge of each other’s strengths for that third place, as Roberts explained: “2-Up and 4-Up events have been a huge part of my racing this year, and I love the team element they bring. There is something special about working together, sharing the effort and trying to get the best out of each other. We were delighted to set a new personal best. The new course felt much faster than the old three-lap format, and tactically we were really well matched. We kept the opening three miles controlled; then gradually increased the pace before committing everything to a big finish. We crossed the line knowing we had left absolutely everything out on the course. Huge thank you as always, to the organisers, marshals, timekeepers and all the volunteers. Events like this simply could not happen without the time and effort they give”. Staples added: “The new course was fast and enjoyable, thanks to the marshals. The weather was almost perfect apart from a light breeze. Phil is on form at the moment, he put in longer turns on the front, more 60:40 than 50:50, but my legs felt good too, it’s our fastest together this year and my fastest ever Road Bike 2-Up”.

The Mower Mec Mixed Team Series was decided as Paramount husband and wife team of Mitchell and Evie Fletcher put themselves in an unbeatable position with a win in 25:05 ahead of Claire Blackwell-Smyth and Stuart Proctor in 25:24. The great weather saw the pair be another to get a personal best, as Evie explained: “I was excited to return to another event in this Series knowing that with a good performance it would put us in a great position for the overall Mixed Gold medal or potentially take it on the night! Mitch warned me the first section could feel slow, so I tried to keep the pace high and put in more effort, knowing I would get a rest after the Shawbirch roundabout. I wouldn’t say I got much of a rest after my turn, but I managed to follow Mitch’s wheel through the flat and fast sections to then finish in a personal best for us. Thank you Wrekinsport for another amazing event, and I am so happy we managed to close the Series out on the night”.

Mitchell was also complementary about the new course and backed up the feelings of strong team work: “As another new course for us, we were excited to ride it. The roads weren’t new to us, with sections of previous races merged together; but for us it was some of our favourite parts of those others courses. Evie led us out to a good start through the first couple miles before I took over to drive into the long flat sections. We managed to finish strong, with Evie bringing us home after I blew my cogs! We were so happy to achieve many things: a 2-Up personal best; and to secure the Mixed Gold medal. As our first season racing 2-Up’s together we are super happy to secure this and shows how strong we can be together. I look forward to doing more in the future with Evie and tackling this Series again”.

In the Mower Mec Female Series Thea Osmund-Smith and Sophie Edge took a strong win in 24:50 ahead of Series leaders Jane Morris and Jo Evans of Market Drayton CC in 27:16, with all to play for in the final round at Ludlow. Osmund-Smith was definitely a fan of the new course, and spoke of a developing partnership which saw the pair record another personal best as a pair. She stated: “The Race was brilliant fun. Despite all the roundabouts, it was a fast course, and the time spent on the A442 stretch meant that there were lots of opportunities to see and cheer on the other competitors! Sophie and I had a plan, and we executed it perfectly. I was super pleased with how the race went, and delighted as ever to take the win with such an impressive team mate. We’re both fresh from cycling trips to the Alps, which undoubtedly shifted our performance up a gear. Thanks to Wrekinsport for a welcoming and brilliant event, and also to the other competitors who were all in good spirits and really contributed to an enjoyable evening”. Edge added: “This was our third 2-Up in the Series, and we were really pleased with our performance on the night. A great turnout too on a lovely summer’s evening; next year we hope to complete more events in the Series”.

Medals were sealed in this Series by a team not in competition on the evening due to a clash with work, with the Nova Raiders pairing of Jenny Newton and Nicky Mason taking Bronze. For Newton after several years away from the sport this was an unexpected reward; although she lamented the absence of many strong female teams, commenting: “How nice to win a medal after so long… such a shame there weren’t more ladies competing though”. For Mason this is her first season racing, and to come away with a medal at the end of it was a bonus. She added: “It’s been great to have a go at some 2-Up time trials; I’d recommend anyone try it”!

Full:

Mixed Team:

Female Team:

Private solo time trials:

Cumulative Standings after six rounds

Overall

Female Team

Mixed Team