Windy conditions seem to be the norm for time trialling currently and it’s the strongest riders who benefit most from being able to punch through the resistance which affects other riders to a greater extent – something which can sap energy quickly. Tim Beardmore made the most of being one of those stronger competitors to take the win in the Birkenhead North End CC 25 held on the Tern Hill – Shawbirch course and comprising Round 11 of the Friction Hydraulics Series. The Bridgnorth CC rider was over two minutes clear with a fabulous effort of 53 minutes 55 seconds, stretching his lead at the top of the Friction Hydraulics Series to 90 points in the process with a course personal best, showing the amount of work he put in.

The swing around Hodnet can catch out the unwary with the wind coming from a different yaw than expected, evidenced but his post-race comments: “It can be a difficult course to judge pace on with changes in direction. I went out very hard, hoping for a push from the wind on the majority of the way home. It must have paid off as I ended with a course PB. I was super happy to take the overall win – big thanks to BNECC for organising”.

Hales had a close battle with the rider lying one place above him in the Overall standings, Jonathan Mills-Keeling, with the pair split by just two seconds. Hales finished in 56 minutes exactly, clawing himself five points closer to the runner-up spot in this Championship, with the Bridgnorth CC now holding a 40 point lead. Hales also had words about the character-building conditions, stating: “Tough windy conditions made it hard out but very fast back. A great ride by Tim Beardmore for the win and I was happy to be runner-up to him. Thanks for Birkenhead North End for organising, and all the marshals that helped out”. Mills-Keeling added: “I went out hard hoping for a tail wind back didn’t seem to help much but happy with third, thanks to all involved”.

Mills-Keeling also finished third in the Veterans standings, with his +11:41 seeing off Paramount’s Chris Riley for the final podium spot by 1:03, with Beardmore adding an additional five points advantage to his tally after taking Veterans runner-up in +14:01. But there was no answer to the double Veterans and Women’s winner Deb Hutson-Lumb’s +14:52 in the former on Veterans Standard, and 1:01:26 in the latter on actual beating Wrekinsport team mate Victoria Doran. Hutson-Lumb commented: “A strong blustery wind made for an interesting ride, especially with the passing lorries. A bit off my power target, but pleased with the ride – thanks to Birkenhead North End for a well run event”.

Friction and Hydraulic Services Shropshire Championship Points Series – Round 11

Pos’n Forename Surname Club Cat Time Points
1 Tim Beardmore Bridgnorth Cycling Club V 53:55 60
2 Tomos Hales Wrekinsport CC S 56:00 55
3 Jonathan Mills-Keeling Bridgnorth Cycling Club V 56:02 50
4 Christopher Riley Paramount CRT V 58:14 45
5 Graeme Donnell Revolutions Racing V 59:12 40
6 Andrew Rose Revolutions Racing V 59:29 35
7 Deb Hutson-Lumb Wrekinsport CC WV 1:01:26 30
8 John Westhead Paramount CRT V 1:04:01 25
9 Robert Elliott Wrekinsport CC V 1:15:51 20
10 Victoria Doran Wrekinsport CC WV 1:22:24 15
. Les Boughey North Shropshire Wheelers V DNS .
. Ben Gilpin Nova Raiders S DNS .
. Mason Durant Paramount CRT S DNS .
. Dean Callister Revolutions Racing S DNS .

Friction and Hydraulic Services Veterans Championship – Round 11

Vets Pos’n Forename Surname Club Cat Vet +/- Vets Points
1 Deb Hutson-Lumb Wrekinsport CC WV +14:52 60
2 Tim Beardmore Bridgnorth Cycling Club V +14:01 55
3 Jonathan Mills-Keeling Bridgnorth Cycling Club V +11:41 50
4 Christopher Riley Paramount CRT V +10:38 45
5 Graeme Donnell Revolutions Racing V +10:11 40
6 Andrew Rose Revolutions Racing V +9:23 35
7 John Westhead Paramount CRT V +8:14 30
8 Robert Elliott Wrekinsport CC V -0:59 25
9 Victoria Doran Wrekinsport CC WV -9:48 20

Friction and Hydraulic Services Women’s Championship – Round 11

Women’s Pos’n Forename Surname Club Cat Time Women’s Points
1 Deb Hutson-Lumb Wrekinsport CC WV 1:01:26 60
2 Victoria Doran Wrekinsport CC WV 1:22:24 55

Top Club Award – Round 11

Pos’n Club Points
1 Wrekinsport CC 120
2 Bridgnorth Cycling Club 110
3 Revolutions Racing 75
4 Paramount CRT 70

Cumulative Standings after eleven rounds

Friction and Hydraulic Services Shropshire Championship Points Series

Position Name Club Cat Best 12
1 Tim Beardmore Bridgnorth CC V 585
2 Jonathan Mills-Keeling Bridgnorth CC V 495
3 Tomos Hales Wrekinsport CC S 455
4 Graeme Donnell Revolutions Racing V 345
5 Bryn Davies Hafren CC V 310
6 Chris Riley Paramount CRT V 280
7 Daniel Watts SCCA Private Member S 220
8 Dean Callister Revolutions Racing S 180
9 Adam Mumford Wrekinsport CC S 125
10 Mason Durant Paramount CRT S 115

Friction and Hydraulic Services Veterans Championship

Position Name Club Best 12
1 Tim Beardmore Bridgnorth CC 610
2 Jonathan Mills-Keeling Bridgnorth CC 530
3 Graeme Donnell Revolutions Racing 465
4 Chris Riley Paramount CRT 340
5 Bryn Davies Hafren CC 315
6 Deb Hutson-Lumb Wrekinsport CC 290
7 Emma Serjeant Hafren CC 215
8 Helen Tudor Oswestry Paragon CC 195
9 Robert Elliott Wrekinsport CC 165
10 Andrew Rose Revolutions Racing 135

Friction and Hydraulic Services Women’s Championship

Women’s Pos’n Name Club Best 12
1 Helen Tudor Oswestry Paragon CC 405
2 Victoria Doran Wrekinsport CC 365
3 Deb Hutson-Lumb Wrekinsport CC 310
4 Emma Serjeant Hafren CC 300
5 Bethan Till Wrekinsport CC 65
6 Robin Jones Bridgnorth CC 60
=7 Clare O’Donnell Wrekinsport CC 45
=7 Helen Blake Wrekinsport CC 45

Friction and Hydraulic Services Junior Championship

Junior Pos’n Name Club Best 12
1 Chester Romei North Shropshire Wheelers 230
2 Ben Southgate Wrekinsport CC 110
3 Alex Hart Mid Shropshire Wheelers 60
4 Noah White Mid Shropshire Wheelers 45

Top Club Award

Position Club Total Points
1 Wrekinsport CC 1175
2 Bridgnorth CC 1165
3 Revolutions Racing 720
4 Paramount CRT 645
5 Hafren CC 435
6 North Shropshire Wheelers 225
7 Oswestry Paragon CC 120
8 Ludlow CC 30
9 Mid Shropshire Wheelers 10