R12 Friction Hydraulics Series: Birkenhead North End CC 25

A rare opportunity to race the out of favour Prees – Tern Hill – Hodnet course was enthusiastically taken by County riders in Round 12 of the Friction Hydraulics Series, Birkenhead North End CC’s 25. Held on a warm and near still morning, Hayley Wells took the opportunity to draw level with Chris Riley at the head of the Friction Series overall standings after finishing sixth overall and winning the Female race with a fine 58 minute 20 second effort which saw her stretch her lead in the Friction Female Series to an incredible 305 points – almost in touching distance of winning that Series. Vitally Wells pushed out Riley by nine seconds to get the five extra points to draw level, helped by a good target of Road Bike victor Stuart Proctor just up the road to help her through a difficult return, as she explained: “A race of two halves. I felt good on the outward leg, but couldn’t seem to hold much speed on the return. I had a good battle with Stuart as my carrot on the final stretch to help make up some ground! Always a good morning out with the cycling community, thanks all”.

The overall win went to Dean Callister, making only his second appearance in the 2026 Friction Series and making it two wins out of two. Callister stopped the watch on 50:59 to see off the attentions of Aerologic team mate and reigning Friction Series Champion Tomos Hales by 22 seconds on a course he is fond of. Callister has had a few issues with a leg injury recently, but managed to punch through the difficulties caused by it late in the race: “A great morning for racing, with warm temperatures and low winds. I always like that course. I had a very good outward leg, which was my plan as I knew I could get leg issues later into the race. I managed to hold a decent pace on the return, with my leg only causing me issues in the last 10 minutes, so I got away with it. I enjoyed the race, thanks to all involved”.

Like Wells and Callister Hales found the return harder than expected, but still managed to post a fabulous effort of 51:21 to push Aerologic team mate Mark Pritchard into third in 53:38; with Phil Collins and Wells seeing a giant day for the team as they scored six of the top five places. Hales was absent for much of June, but made up a bit of ground to move up to joint third in the standings alongside Rob McGregor of Paramount CRT, the only non-Aerologic rider to break into that top 6. Hales commented: “I haven’t done this course for a while, and on the back of a few races I was keen to try it out. I had a great first leg; however I started to fade on the return. A new road surface makes it a lot nicer experience. Well done to Dean for the County win, and thanks for Birkenhead North End for hosting”.

Whilst Riley still shares the top spot in the Overall standings he has a much more comfortable lead in the Friction Veterans competition as he took a win of five seconds from Collins with +11:19 to add a further 10 points to his margin over Proctor, who was third with +10:46. Riley now holds a 320 point lead in this Series, and like Wells is within touching distance of mathematically sealing this Championship, He stated: “I like the Birkenhead North End CC races: they have loads of helpers, a good headquarters, and a great prize list. I also like the Tern Hill – Hodnet course but I must admit to slowing to a bit of a crawl on the return leg back to Prees – a lovely morning all the same; and a thoroughly enjoyable event”.

Proctor took the Friction Road Bike win from reigning Road Bike Champion Jon Goh by 3:05 in an adjusted 55:14 in this handicap competition, and moved to 40 points off the lead of this Series as things got compressed at the top as he made up ground on Series leader Andrew Dawson who finished third on the day and Goh, who lies in the Silver medal spot. Proctor certainly had the motivation to do his best with Wells off one minute behind, as he explained: “Given the heat of the days surrounding the event it was actually a pleasure to be setting off early morning. The temperatures were just starting to rise, and I was mindful of the fact that Hayley was one minute behind and would be coming for me! I felt pretty good all the way down and round to Hodnet – no hold ups on any of the roundabouts, which was nice, and pretty much smack on 30km Hayley came past! She kept just far enough ahead preventing a dig up to the Prees Heath roundabout, after which I put my foot down for a final surge and managed to get back past, but closing in on the line, Hayley came past once more and that was that! A great event, super well organised, with the only downside losing my pink Oakley sunglasses”.

SCCA:

Veterans:

Females:

Road Bikes (on handicap):

Top Club Award:

Cumulative Standing after twelve rounds

Overall

Veterans

Females

Road Bikes

Juniors

Top Club Award: