Andy Bason’s 2012 course record was twice broken in Round 1 of the Friction and Hydraulic Services Shropshire Championship Points Series, Wrekinsport CC’s Chris Edwards Hilly 18 as two Team Bottrill riders made it a 1-2 at Worfield. Off at number 50, George Evans saw a massive two minute and two second improvement over his 2016 winning time to shave four seconds off Bason’s record with a superb 39:47 effort – but that record didn’t stand for long as team mate Josh Williams, off 10 minutes later posted a stunning time of 37:59.

Williams overtook 10 riders on the way to that record, with particular mention being made by those privileged to witness it of the brutal way he attacked The Hermitage, flying up it in the big ring. He stated: “It was good to get the first race under my belt and a win after a disappointing 2016. Nice to get the course record, I know team manager Matt Bottrill is happy with that too“. Evans added: “My first race of the season so it was a good test to see where I’m at. I was very pleased with my time and second place to a flying Josh Williams“.

In the County competition Mid Shropshire Wheeler Victor Chetta took an early lead in the Friction Series with a fine effort of 43:10, coping well with the tricky – and unusual easterly wind that bowled riders along the ‘Rabbit Run’ but gave issues on the rest of this triangular course. Chetta, runner-up in the Friction Series in 2016 and County Best-All-Rounder Champion set out his stall early for the new season, stating: “It was an unexpectedly tough afternoon with the winds making controlling the bike tricky at times. I enjoyed testing myself on The Hermitage at the end. Good to be racing again“.

Chetta’s experience of this rolling course stood him in good stead as he saw off a challenge from Hafren CC’s Bryn Davies by just 12 seconds. However Davies was pleased with his effort, revealing: “I was really pleased with the result. I’ve been struggling with motivation over the winter, and this was my first time on that course so I was pleased with the time. Looking forward to the season ahead now“.

In the Veteran’s Competition Davies was in a battle with Ludlow Brewery CC’s Steve Minton, who finished just 14 seconds behind Davies on actual to be third County rider overall. However those positions were reversed when the age-related factor was applied with Minton winning in +4:35 ahead of Davies on +4:15. A delighted Minton commented: “I rode over to use it as a training day, and taking a minute off from last season’s time exceeded expectations! Thanks to all who organised and helped put it on“. Third Veteran was Revolutions Racing’s Stuart Proctor, another first timer – but reporting a different experience to other riders: “It was my first time at the Hilly, a great course but no tailwind anywhere! I was chuffed with my time, even with a forced stop on The Hermitage roundabout“!

Proctor’s start came just after the one shower of the event had blown over for 10 minutes and could explain the change in weather – but it certainly wasn’t the experience of his team mate Pauline Hughes who took the Ladies victory in 53 minutes exactly. The 2016 Silver medallist is hoping to go one better in 2017 and suffered in the conditions, stating: “The weather was a bit blustery and The Hermitage felt tough as usual, but great encouragement and support which helped“!

That final comment referred to the support from a well-drilled team of marshals, but particularly from the Nova Raiders’ cheerleader squad who were encamped on The Hermitage roaring the competitors on – and making them move that little bit faster thanks to a barrage of air horns! The Raiders won the team competition and took an early lead in the Top Club Award, the first time they have topped the table. With strength in depth through the field the experience was a new one for a  first-timer Charlotte Chapman, who beat mother Jade by 18 seconds to snaffle second Women’s spot. The 19 year-old enjoyed her afternoon, commenting: “My first ever time trial, and unfortunately I can’t say I enjoyed every second but I’d definitely do it again! I knew it would be close between me and Mum – but not within seconds of each other! It was great to see such a huge support from Nova, especially those cheering me up the hill. Thanks to everyone who made sure it all run so smoothly, a great race”.

 Taking an early lead in the Junior Championship was another member of Revolutions Racing putting local knowledge to the fore as Bridgnorth-based Sam Morris stopped the watch on 46:16 for an impressive 9th County rider overall.

Result:

 Friction and Hydraulic Services Shropshire Championship Points Series – Round 1

Position Forename Surname Club Cat Time Points
1 Victor Chetta Mid Shropshire Wheelers S 43:10 60
2 Bryn Davies Hafren CC V 43:22 55
3 Stephen Minton Ludlow Brewery RT V 43:36 50
4 Stuart Proctor Revolutions Racing V 44:13 45
5 Matthew Gibbons Nova Raiders S 44:23 40
6 Gary Walters Ludlow Brewery RT V 44:54 35
7 Tim Beardmore Nova Raiders V 45:06 30
8 James Griffiths Clee Cycles V 46:03 25
9 Sam Morris Revolutions Racing J 46:16 20
=10 Ed Middleton Nova Raiders S 46:38 15
=10 Nick Long Nova Raiders S 46:38 15
12 Jason Harland Revolutions Racing V 46:54 5
13 Gary Duncan Paramount CRT V 47:12 5
14 Andy Mear Ludlow CC V 47:15 5
15 Andy Maxwell Nova Raiders S 47:23 5
=16 William Baugh Ludlow CC V 47:37 5
=16 Neil Howells SCCA Private Member V 47:37 5
18 Rob Kennard Revolutions Racing V 48:08 5
19 Dave Owen Nova Raiders V 48:09 5
20 Sean Evans Paramount CRT V 48:26 5
21 Simon Evans Mid Shropshire Wheelers V 48:40 5
22 Clancy Wilson Ludlow CC V 48:54 5
23 David Drew North Shropshire Wheelers V 49:50 5
24 Mark Griffiths Wrekinsport CC V 49:51 5
25 Fraser MacKinnon Wrekinsport CC V 50:52 5
26 Andy Hazell Mid Shropshire Wheelers V 51:01 5
27 Andy Davies Paramount CRT V 51:02 5
28 Ian Connolly Ludlow CC V 51:17 5
29 Alistair Hatton Wrekinsport CC V 51:37 5
30 Adam Mumford Wrekinsport CC S 51:38 5
31 Steve Chapman Nova Raiders V 52:22 5
32 Richard Dyke Ludlow CC V 52:31 5
33 Pauline Hughes Revolutions Racing LV 53:00 5
34 Vince Evans Wrekinsport CC V 53:03 5
35 Martin Sharpe Ludlow CC V 53:58 5
36 Charlotte Chapman Nova Raiders L 55:12 5
37 Richard Goddard Newport Shropshire CC V 55:23 5
38 Jade Chapman Nova Raiders LV 55:30 5
39 Jenny Newton Nova Raiders LV 57:32 5
Ian Hobley Mid Shropshire Wheelers V DNS-A
Lee Handley Paramount CRT V DNS-A
Dave Moore Wrekinsport CC V DNS-A
Simon Ward Ludlow Brewery RT V DNS

Friction and Hydraulic Services Veterans Championship – Round 1

 

Vets Pos’n Forename Surname Club +/- Vet Std Vets Points
1 Stephen Minton Ludlow Brewery RT +4:35 60
2 Bryn Davies Hafren CC +4:15 55
3 Stuart Proctor Revolutions Racing +4:14 50
4 Gary Walters Ludlow Brewery RT +3:00 45
5 Tim Beardmore Nova Raiders +2:48 40
=6 Gary Duncan Paramount CRT +1:50 35
=6 Andy Hazell Mid Shropshire Wheelers +1:50 35
8 James Griffiths Clee Cycles +1:43 25
9 Andy Mear Ludlow CC +1:04 20
=10 William Baugh Ludlow CC +0:50 15
=10 Neil Howells SCCA Private Member +0:50 15
12 David Drew North Shropshire Wheelers +0:48 5
13 Jason Harland Revolutions Racing +0:43 5
14 Rob Kennard Revolutions Racing +0:36 5
15 Clancy Wilson Ludlow CC +0:17 5
16 Pauline Hughes Revolutions Racing +0:07 5
17 Simon Evans Mid Shropshire Wheelers -0:04 5
18 Dave Owen Nova Raiders -0:15 5
19 Sean Evans Paramount CRT -0:32 5
20 Mark Griffiths Wrekinsport CC -0:58 5
21 Alistair Hatton Wrekinsport CC -2:17 5
22 Steve Chapman Nova Raiders -2:52 5
23 Fraser MacKinnon Wrekinsport CC -2:58 5
24 Jade Chapman Nova Raiders -3:02 5
25 Ian Connolly Ludlow CC -3:06 5
26 Vince Evans Wrekinsport CC -3:23 5
27 Andy Davies Paramount CRT -3:34 5
28 Richard Dyke Ludlow CC -4:12 5
29 Martin Sharpe Ludlow CC -4:28 5
30 Jenny Newton Nova Raiders -5:31 5
31 Richard Goddard Newport Shropshire CC -6:30 5

Friction and Hydraulic Services Ladies Championship – Round 1

 

Ladies Pos’n Forename Surname Club Cat Time Ladies Points
1 Pauline Hughes Revolutions Racing LV 53:00 60
2 Charlotte Chapman Nova Raiders L 55:12 55
3 Jade Chapman Nova Raiders LV 55:30 50
4 Jenny Newton Nova Raiders LV 57:32 45

Friction and Hydraulic Services Junior Championship – Round 1

 

Junior Pos’n Forename Surname Club Cat Time Junior Points
1 Sam Morris Revolutions Racing J 46:16 60

Top Club Award after Round 1

Cat Club Points
1 Nova Raiders 130
2 Ludlow Brewery RT 85
3 Revolutions Racing 80
4 Mid Shropshire Wheelers 70
5 Hafren CC 55
6 Ludlow CC 30
=7 Clee Cycles 25
=7 Wrekinsport CC 25
9 Paramount CRT 15
=10 Newport Shropshire CC 5
=10 North Shropshire Wheelers 5
=10 SCCA Private Members 5
  • Round 2 of the Friction and Hydraulics Services Shropshire Championship Points Series takes place on 26th March when Rhino Velo promote their first ever Open event over 21 miles of the Bridgnorth – Much Wenlock – Shipton – Morville circuit.