R12 SB Sports Injuries Series: Wrekinsport CC Gordon Davies 19

The first medal of the 2025 SB Sports Injuries Series was sealed in Round 12, the Wrekinsport CC Gordon Davies 19 held over two laps of the Shawbirch – Cotwall Bank circuit as Hayley Wells took Female Gold with four rounds still remaining. Wells has been a dominant presence throughout the season and also tightened her grip on the Overall Bronze medal position with an excellent effort of 44 minutes 11 seconds, helping herself to fourth spot on the evening and taking her ninth win from her ninth event in the SB Sports Injuries Series, retaining her title. Wells’ total of 186 points gives her an unbeatable lead of 116 points with a maximum 80 remaining.

Wells opened with comments on how her race went before moving on to that impressive medal win: “I was conscious not to overcook it on the first lap. I set out at a sensible pace with the intention to ramp it up. Sadly not enough gas for a negative split, but control was maintained! It was a lovely evening of racing with a good turnout of riders; many thanks to Wrekinsport. I do love the variety of courses the SB Series offers across the season. Being able to race on some roads across the county we only use once or twice a season keeps things interesting and a great test! I was chuffed to have taken the overall Female Gold for this Series; special thanks to all the promoting clubs throughout the year who continue to allow each race to go ahead”. 

Dean Callister took an impressive overall win in 39:58, coping best with changeable conditions that saw the wind turn mid-event on a warm evening even though his time was down 33 seconds from Round 4 held on the same circuit. This pushed SB Series leader Tomos Hales into the runner-up spot despite bettering his Round 4 effort by 40 seconds to narrow the gap. Callister was pleased with his efforts, stating: “Good conditions again this year for this course, but slightly more wind than last time which definitely picked up on the second lap. My legs felt good, so I was happy with my effort and pleased to win; thanks to Wrekinsport for putting the event on”. Callister however had not had the best preparation, mistakenly thinking the race started at 7pm rather than it being advanced to 6:30pm due to available light, and missed his planned start time as a result, having to go off at the back of the field, whilst fortunate to avoid a late start penalty due to the more relaxed format here, but which is standard in Open events.

Hales stretched his lead slightly in defence of the SB title against the same rider who pushed him hard in 2024, Jonathan Mills-Keeling with his 41:07 ride and now holds a 50 point lead. He definitely noticed the strengthening wind and the change of direction to the north along the A442 mile straight towards the finish at Long Lane, a stretch that has to be navigated three times on this version of the circuit. He commented: “I do like the challenge of the Wrekinsport 2-lap 19 mile time trial The first lap seemed rather quick; however the wind direction changed for the second and was really in my face up Cotwall Bank. It also felt like a long slog up the finishing straight of the A442. Well done to Dean for a cracking time, even though he thought it was a 7pm start! Also thanks to Wrekinsport and all the marshals”.

Mills-Keeling took third spot overall in 43:23 and extended his lead at the head of the SB Veterans Series by six points with +8:03, but ended his race frustratingly stuck behind a slow moving artic, which thankfully didn’t affect his position on the night. The Aerologic rider is the third defending a title successfully, albeit with a slimmer eight point advantage over John Westhead who took fourth Veteran on the night with +3:53, behind the Wrekinsport pair of Clive Middleton and Ian Laverie in +7:46 and +6:58 respectively. Mills-Keeling stated: “Nice to see some friendly faces at the Wrekinsport 19. A decent first lap but got held up on the second lap bit which was disappointing, but it’s just the way it is in open roads. I was pleased with third overall and first Veteran”.

In the SB Road Bike Series Dan Watts made an impression in his second appearance of the season to take his second win. Watts stopped the watch on 46:08 to beat Matt Price who registered an adjusted 47:17 in this handicapped competition, but suffered as the temperature sizzled and the wind rose: “With the heat and the wind on Cotwall Bank it made it feel like riding into a hairdryer. The first lap was tough, but the second lap really pushed me to my limit, so I was happy to bring home the Road Bike win. Great rides again by Dean and Tomos; it’s been a great season-long battle to watch from afar; and kudos Hayley for a short 44 on that course”.

In the SB Junior Series Newport’s Ben Bramford-Hale crossed the line in exactly 46 minutes to knock 52 seconds off his Round 4 effort and chalk up a 40 point lead in this Series. The 15 year-old has got better and better as the season has gone on, often riding the one lap version of this course, and had words of thanks to the organisers of the regular club series: “Happy with the time overall, and it’s good to have that improved since the last 19 mile time trial I raced on this course earlier in the season. I’ve really enjoyed racing the time trials this year, and it is great to be leading the SB Junior Series. Massive thanks to the Wrekinsport organisers and volunteers to putting on the weekly events through the season”. 

Full:

Veterans:

Females:

Road Bikes:

Juniors:

Cumulative Standings after twelve rounds

Overall:

Veterans:

Females:

Road Bikes:

Juniors: