Friction Hydraulics Series R2: SB Sports Injuries Shropshire Championship 50 presented by Mid Shropshire Wheelers

The first Championship of the Shropshire time trialling season came early for many thanks to a belated start to the season courtesy of Covid-19, and with torrential rain the day before riders were left splashing through puddles – but thanks to a favourable wind and easy passage through the air courtesy of that storm, the medal winners posted some significantly fast times – with some great efforts from first-timers at the 5 mile discipline. Held over four circuits of the Prees – Quina Brook course The SB Sports Injuries Shropshire Championship 50 presented by Mid Shropshire Wheelers had plenty of incidents as Kirk Vickers took the 50 mile Trophy in a fantastic time of 1 hour, 48 minutes and 29 seconds.

Vickers would normally be seen road racing at this time of year, but with that discipline only cautiously beginning to open up he came up with the goods on a circuit he clearly liked: “I love the course, lots of variety to it, and plenty to think about. I felt like I paced it well with a negative split, thank you to the organisers and marshals at Mid Shropshire Wheelers”.

Vickers managed to push out long distance mile eater Victor Chetta, 2020’s Silver medallist and always at his best over the big distances. Chetta gained that same Overall medal for 2021 with a fine 1:50:47, knocking 4:11 off his 2020 ride; and went one better in the Veteran’s Championship, helping himself to Veteran’s 50 mile Gold and the Jim Heath Trophy after pushing out Tim Beardmore by +1:21 in a solid +24:56. Chetta commented about the favourable conditions in spite of the early morning chill: “Another day with surprisingly quick conditions, the southerly headwind on the sheltered B-road leg meant it didn’t slow us down too much but we gained the full benefit of the tailwind on the more exposed A49, helping me to a course PB by four minutes. Thanks to Mid Shropshire Wheelers for running the event”!

Beardmore is on the come back trail after a winter laying up with injury, so a 50 mile effort was likely to be a stretch, although he managed to help himself to Silver in +23:35, pushing out Wrekinsport’s Chris Halford into Veteran’s Bronze – and agonisingly creating a ‘What if?’ moment in the head-to head against Chetta. Beardmore explained: “I’m still trying to find some form having only been back on the bike for six weeks following back and knee issues over winter. My race didn’t start well as I dropped my chain immediately off the start and had to stop to refit it, but after that I settled into it I was pleased with my pacing and time. I’m hoping for my form to pick up over the next few weeks, a great time by Victor, and big thanks to everyone at Mid Shropshire Wheelers for organising”.

One feature amongst the medallists were the sheer number of first-timers taking part, with Adam Baker surprising himself after a near late start, with his 1:52:15 pushing out Junior Henri Bedford by just 18 seconds and earning Baker Overall 50 mile Bronze – as well as thankfully getting away with the mechanical issues that affected Beardmore. Baker gave a graphic description of nearly missing out due to a last second arrival and some bike maintenance issues that nearly cost him: “My first 50 mile time trial completed so a medal is certainly an unexpected achievement. The race started auspiciously with some bad planning leaving me arriving at the start line with no time to spare. The marshals shouted “Put foot down” and then it was go – at least there was no time to get cold! The actual ride went to plan and I paced it pretty well, starting easy and ending strong with a negative split. I am prone to bike mechanical issues and in this race my gear shifters came very close to falling off, and the tape on my rear wheel came off and got stuck in the brakes creating a disturbing flapping sound! Despite this I’m happy with the race; I just need to work on strengthening my neck muscles which were screaming at the end. It’s going to be hard to maintain for the 100 in a few weeks”.

Bedford was the only Junior taking part, an completing such a distance is a major achievement for a 17 year-old – not that that fazes the Revolutions Racing rider who sliced nearly five minutes off his 2020 time to take Junior Gold: “I loved the challenge of a 50 early in the season. I was very glad the rain held out and the wind stayed calm. I was happy to take five minutes off my time on that course over last year – thanks to Mid Shropshire Wheelers for putting the event on”.

Halford didn’t go home without taking a second medal however as he backed up Tomos Hales in the challenge for 50 mile Team Gold, and with support from another first-timer, Andrew Hellowell Wrekinsport took those medals by 32:50 in a combined 6:04:10. With an issue that took place during the race delaying the result Halford was eventually taken aback when told he’d won a brace of medals, commenting only: “I’m a bit stunned to have won anything. Well done to all Wrekinsport riders”. Hales and Hellowell were a bit more effusive, with Hales stating: “The 50 went very well and I was very happy with my time. It was very good conditions with the tail wind up the climb. It was also good to see Wrekinsport field such a strong squad, and thanks for Mid Shropshire Wheelers for putting it on”. Hellowell added: “I’m glad to have such strong team mates and really happy for the club getting a Gold medal – my first 50 time trial so I was happy just to finish!”

The Women’s Championship is getting keener, with Market Drayton CC’s Alison Dockney taking a maiden 50 Gold and the Women’s 50 mile Trophy. Her 2:10:26 pushed out Hafren CC’s Emma Sarjeant by 1:46 thanks to a personal best effort, but the rising wind as the day finally began to warm up caused her a few issues later on: “A decent 50 mile PB for me so I was happy given conditions and it’s still early in the season. I lost time on lap 3 when the wind started to pick up, making for a battle down to Quina Brook. At least I knew where all the puddles and potholes were by then! Thanks Mid Shropshire Wheelers for hosting a very well organised event”.

Sarjeant also put in a personal best ride, and was delighted to take Women;s 50 mile Silver 1:32 ahead of another first-timer Leonie Keeling. Sarjeant stated: “I really like the 50 course, I think of it as just four laps rather than 50 miles! I paced it well, and was pleased with a three minute course PB and taking Silver. Well done to Alison on taking Gold; and to all the marshals for their support and encouragement on the course”.

Oswestry Paragon’s Keeling was getting her first experience of the distance in her first full season, with an excellent 2:13:44 to take Women’s 50 Bronze. She revealed: “My first 50 after starting time trialling last year. I really enjoyed the race and thankfully the rain held off for us. It was tough conditions due to the rainfall the night before but very well organised and marshalled, I loved every minute and it’s fantastic to be back racing – thanks to all involved”.

Full result:

Pos’n	Name	Club	Cat	Time	Vets +/-
1	John Thelwell	TricentralUk	M	01:47:41
2	Tony Cullen	TricentralUk	MV	01:47:50	+29:30
3	Kirk Vickers	Holohan Coaching Race Team	M	01:48:29
4	Luke Pollard	Royal Air Force Cycling Association	M	01:49:19
5	Toby Williams	Velotik Racing Team	M	01:50:36
6	Victor Chetta	Pirate juice cc	MV	01:50:47	+24:56
7	Mark Benson	Chester Triathlon Club	MV	01:51:01	+23:55
8	Mat Ivings	Buxton CC/Sett Valley Cycles	MV	01:51:50	+25:56
9	Ian Lawton	Mersey Tri	M	01:52:07
10	Adam  Baker	Royal Air Force Cycling Association	M	01:52:15
11	Daniel  Lanigan	TricentralUk	M	01:52:21
12	Patrick Hickey	Rossendale RC	M	01:52:29
13	Henri Bedford	Revolutions Racing	MJ	01:52:33
14	David James Williams	Velotik Racing Team	MV	01:52:49	+22:30
15	Adam Darby	Velotik Racing Team	M	01:53:10
16	John Cripps	Warrington Road Club/Horton Light Engineering	MV	01:54:10	+20:46
17	Daniel Shackleton	ABC Centreville	MV	01:54:18	+24:22
18	Tim Beardmore	Nova Raiders CC	MV	01:54:38	+23:35
19	Matthew Hall	Aura Triathlon Coaching	M	01:56:33
20	Daniel Mathers	Seamons CC	MV	01:56:35	+21:11
21	Dan Elliot	TricentralUk	M	01:56:38
22	Tomos Hales	Wrekinsport CC	M	01:56:48
23	Jason Henson	Team Bottrill	MV	01:56:55	+21:18
24	Luke Jackson	CCN UK	M	01:57:28
25	Christopher Halford	Wrekinsport CC	MV	01:57:51	+20:22
26	Geoffrey Mullett	Weaver Valley CC	MV	01:58:01	+19:19
27	Alan Broadbent	Graham Weigh Racing-Deeside Olympic	MV	01:58:09	+19:11
28	Jake Turner	Mersey Tri	M	01:58:55
29	Benjamin Akin	TricentralUk	M	01:59:04
30	Jason Walkley	Royal Air Force Cycling Association	MV	01:59:44	+14:50
31	Mark Clair	Mersey Tri	MV	02:00:43	+13:51
32	Roger Sheridan	North Devon Wheelers	MV	02:01:09	+23:04
33	Bryn Davies	Hafren CC	MV	02:01:19	+16:01
34	Laurie Rouwenhorst	Bath Cycling Club	M	02:01:51
35	Jay Haddley	Chester Triathlon Club	M	02:03:06
36	James Meldrum	Liverpool Phoenix CC (Aintree)	MV	02:03:29	+11:27
37	Philip Johnson	Mersey Tri	M	02:03:54
38	Tom Hill	Dursley Road Club	M	02:04:03
39	Ian Dickens	TricentralUk	MV	02:04:09	+14:04
40	Benjamin  Stones	Mersey Tri	M	02:05:23
41	Alex Taylor	Manchester Triathlon Club	MV	02:06:08	+08:48
42	Richard Baker	Audlem Cycling Club	MV	02:06:21	+10:09
43	Paul Bavington	EvoVelo Racing	M	02:06:36
44	Joanna Cebrat	Bury Clarion CC	FV	02:06:48	+21:16
45	Andy Riley	ABC Centreville	MV	02:07:00	+09:06
46	Gavin Davies	Total Tri Training	M	02:07:07
47	Liam Ferris	Audlem Cycling Club	MV	02:07:17	+12:21
48	Martin Horrobin	Horwich Cycling Club	MV	02:08:15	+12:24
49	Mark Livingston	Total Tri Training	MV	02:08:25	+11:13
50	Andrew Hellowell	Wrekinsport CC	MV	02:09:31	+07:49
51	Anthony Spruce	Winsford Wheelers Cycling Club	M	02:09:51
52	Adam Mumford	Wrekinsport CC	M	02:10:09
53	John Swinnerton	Crewe Clarion Wheelers	MV	02:10:23	+05:43
54	Alison Dockney	Market Drayton Cycling Club	F	02:10:26
55	Emma Serjeant	Hafren CC	FV	02:12:12	+15:26
56	Mark Donnelly	Birkenhead North End CC	MV	02:12:46	+03:44
57	Leonie Keeling	Oswestry Paragon CC	FV	02:13:44	+13:28
58	Nigel Briggs	South Pennine RC	MV	02:14:01	+10:12
59	Emma Bexson	Stratford Cycling Club	FV	02:15:08	+14:43
60	Barry Williams	Mersey Tri	M	02:15:54
61	Wayne Simmons	Total Tri Training	M	02:16:08
62	Steve Cornish	Mid Shropshire Wheelers	MV	02:16:35	+11:19
63	Paul Martin	North Endurance	M	02:16:41
64	John Lowe	Withington Wheelers	MV	02:18:02	+01:07
65	Jeff Fidler	Knutsford Tri Club	MV	02:18:45	+03:00
66	Andy Whitehead	Seamons CC	MV	02:18:52	+04:04
67	Michael Collins	VC Sevale (Malvern)	MV	02:19:03	+00:06
68	Samantha  Howard	Mersey Tri	FV	02:19:07	+09:49
69	Janet Fairclough	Liverpool Phoenix CC (Aintree)	FV	02:21:23	+16:40
70	Martin Sturge	Graham Weigh Racing-Deeside Olympic	MV	02:21:43	+12:20
71	Marie Llewellyn	Army Cycling	F	02:23:28
72	Simon Jones	Hafren CC	MV	02:23:29	-06:59
73	Lorna  Harper	Mersey Tri	F	02:23:33
74	Jason Arnold	Hafren CC	MV	02:24:01	-05:48
75	Steve Nixon	Congleton CC	MV	02:26:13	-05:01
76	D J Fanning	Weybridge Wheelers	MV	02:30:27	-08:42
77	Ian Casson	Birkenhead Victoria CC	MV	02:30:50	-00:18
78	Les Boughey	North Shropshire Wheelers	MV	02:32:52	-09:56
79	Clare  Cotterill	Wrekinsport CC	FV	02:34:05	-05:35
80	Helen Tudor	Oswestry Paragon CC	FV	02:40:13	-20:35
81	Geraint Catherall	Anfield BC	MV	03:02:14	-44:54
82	Claire Calladine	Derby Triathlon Club	FV	03:33:44	-04:20
.	Jon Blackshaw	Liverpool Phoenix CC (Aintree)	MV	DNF
.	Jamie  Pleavin	Liverpool Century RC	MV	DNF
.	Simon Tinkler	Total Tri Training	MV	DNF
.	Arthur Winstanley	Liverpool Phoenix CC (Aintree)	MV	DNF
.	David Parkin	Salford Cycling Club	M	DNF
.	Robert Kelly	Mersey Tri	M	DNF
.	Sam Hughes	Liverpool Century RC	M	DNF
.	Sam Shepherd	Total Tri Training	M	DNF
.	Jake  Jamieson	Total Tri Training	M	DNF
.	Eurwyn Parry	VTTA (Merseyside)	MV	DNS (A)
.	Stuart McCormick	Pirate juice cc	MV	DNS(A)
.	Chris Lawson	Graham Weigh Racing-Deeside Olympic	MV	DNS(A)
.	Simon Higgins	Liverpool Century RC	MV	DNS(A)
.	Steven Johnson	Liverpool Phoenix CC (Aintree)	MV	DNS(A)
.	Rebecca Holland	Chester RC	FV	DNS(A)
.	Louise  Clague	Knutsford Tri Club	FV	DNS(A)
.	Matthew Wales	Pirate juice cc	M	DNS(A)
.	Tom Evans	Total Tri Training	M	DNS(A)
.	Dylan Roberts	Clwb Beicio’R Bala	M	DNS(A)
.	Sean Harris	Mersey Tri	M	DNS(A)
.	Richard Bott	Pirate juice cc	MV	DNS
.	Adam  Langley	Liverpool Phoenix CC (Aintree)	MV	DNS
.	Paul Cubbins	Mersey Tri	MV	DNS
.	Richard Collins	Mid Shropshire Wheelers	MV	DNS
.	Harry Boscawen	Serpentine Running Club	M	DNS
.	Graham Noble	Pirate juice cc	MV	DQ

SCCA:

Pos’n	Name	Club	Cat	Time	Points
1	Kirk Vickers	Holohan Coaching Race Team	S	1:48:29	70
2	Victor Chetta	SCCA Private Member	V	1:50:47	65
3	Adam Baker	SCCA Private Member	S	1:52:15	60
4	Henri Bedford	Revolutions Racing	J	1:52:33	55
5	Tim Beardmore	Nova Raiders	V	1:54:38	50
6	Tomos Hales	Wrekinsport CC	S	1:56:48	45
7	Christopher Halford	Wrekinsport CC	V	1:57:51	40
8	Jason Walkley	SCCA Private Member	V	1:59:44	35
9	Bryn Davies	Hafren CC	V	2:01:19	30
10	Andrew Hellowell	Wrekinsport CC	V	2:09:31	25
11	Adam Mumford	Wrekinsport CC	S	2:10:09	20
12	Alison Dockney	Market Drayton CC	W	2:10:26	15
13	Emma Serjeant	Hafren CC	WV	2:12:12	10
14	Leonie Keeling	Oswestry Paragon CC	WV	2:13:44	10
15	Steve Cornish	Mid Shropshire Wheelers	V	2:16:35	10
16	Marie Llewellyn	Nova Raiders	W	2:23:28	10
17	Simon Jones	Hafren CC	V	2:23:29	10
18	Jason Arnold	Hafren CC	V	2:24:01	10
19	Les Boughey	North Shropshire Wheelers	V	2:32:52	10
20	Clare Cotterill	Wrekinsport CC	WV	2:34:05	10
21	Helen Tudor	Oswestry Paragon CC	WV	2:40:13	10
.	Richard Collins	Mid Shropshire Wheelers	V	DNS	.

Team Gold:

Wrekinsport CC (Tomos Hales, Chris Halford, Andrew Hellowell) 6:04:10

Veterans:

Vets Pos’n	Name	Club	Cat	Vets +/-	Vets Points
1	Victor Chetta	SCCA Private Member	V	+24:56	70
2	Tim Beardmore	Nova Raiders	V	+23:35	65
3	Christopher Halford	Wrekinsport CC	V	+20:22	60
4	Bryn Davies	Hafren CC	V	+16:01	55
5	Emma Serjeant	Hafren CC	WV	+15:26	50
6	Jason Walkley	SCCA Private Member	V	+14:50	45
7	Leonie Keeling	Oswestry Paragon CC	WV	+13:28	40
8	Steve Cornish	Mid Shropshire Wheelers	V	+11:19	35
9	Andrew Hellowell	Wrekinsport CC	V	+07:49	30
10	Clare Cotterill	Wrekinsport CC	WV	-05:35	25
11	Jason Arnold	Hafren CC	V	-05:48	20
12	Simon Jones	Hafren CC	V	-06:59	15
13	Les Boughey	North Shropshire Wheelers	V	-09:56	10
14	Helen Tudor	Oswestry Paragon CC	WV	-20:35	10

Women’s:

Women’s Pos’n	Name	Club	Cat	Time	Women’s Points
1	Alison Dockney	Market Drayton CC	W	2:10:26	70
2	Emma Serjeant	Hafren CC	WV	2:12:12	65
3	Leonie Keeling	Oswestry Paragon CC	WV	2:13:44	60
4	Marie Llewellyn	Nova Raiders	W	2:23:28	55
5	Clare Cotterill	Wrekinsport CC	WV	2:34:05	50
6	Helen Tudor	Oswestry Paragon CC	WV	2:40:13	45

Juniors:

Junior Pos’n	Name	Club	Cat	Time	Junior Points
1	Henri Bedford	Revolutions Racing	J	1:52:33	70

Top Club Award:

Pos’n	Club	Points
1	Wrekinsport CC	140
2	Holohan Coaching Race Team	70
3	Hafren CC	60
3	Nova Raiders	60
5	Revolutions Racing	55
6	Oswestry Paragon CC	20
7	Market Drayton CC	15
8	Mid Shropshire Wheelers	10
8	North Shropshire Wheelers	10

Cumulative standings after two rounds:

Overall:

Position	Name	Club	Cat	Best 12
1	Kirk Vickers	Holohan Coaching RT	S	120
2	Victor Chetta	SCCA Private Member	V	105
3	Tim Beardmore	Nova Raiders	V	80
4	Adam Baker	SCCA Private Member	S	60
4	George Mills-Keeling	Bridgnorth CC	S	60
6	Henri Bedford	Revolutions Racing	J	55
6	Kieran Morris	Oswestry Paragon CC	S	55
8	Dean Callister	Nova Raiders	S	45
8	Tomos Hales	Wrekinsport CC	S	45
10	Chris Halford	Wrekinsport CC	V	40

Veterans:

Position	Name	Club	Best 12
1	Victor Chetta	SCCA Private Member	130
2	Tim Beardmore	Nova Raiders	120
3	Leonie Keeling	Oswestry Paragon CC	65
4	Chris Halford	Wrekinsport CC	60
5	Bryn Davies	Hafren CC	55
6	Emma Serjeant	Hafren CC	50
6	Jonathan Mills-Keeling	Bridgnorth CC	50
8	Jason Walkley	SCCA Private Member	45
8	Oliver Rodwell	Wrekinsport CC	45
10	Graeme Donnell	Nova Raiders	40

Women’s:

Women’s Pos’n	Name	Club	Best 12
1	Alison Dockney	Market Drayton CC	130
2	Leonie Keeling	Oswestry Paragon CC	115
3	Helen Tudor	Oswestry Paragon CC	85
4	Emma Serjeant	Hafren CC	65
5	Marie Llewellyn	Nova Raiders	55
6	Clare Cotterill	Wrekinsport CC	50
6	Jenny Newton	Nova Raiders	50
8	Lauren Turley	Nova Raiders	45

Juniors:

Junior Pos’n	Name	Club	Best 12
1	Henri Bedford	Revolutions Racing	70

Top Club Award:

Position	Club	Total Points
1	Nova Raiders	195
2	Wrekinsport CC	180
3	Holohan Coaching RT	120
4	Oswestry Paragon CC	90
5	Bridgnorth CC	85
6	Hafren CC	70
7	Revolutions Racing	55
8	Market Drayton CC	20
8	North Shropshire Wheelers	20
10	Mid Shropshire Wheelers	15
11	Ludlow CC	5