David Griffiths had a point to prove on the Tern Hill – Shawbirch 25 mile course, called into action for the second weekend on the trot after a wrong turn saw him fail to finish a week earlier – no such mistake this time as he took an emphatic win in Round 16 of the Friction Hydraulics Series, North Shropshire Wheelers’ 25 as the destination of the Friction Women’s Championship was decided. Oswestry Paragon’s Griffiths stopped the watch on 51 minutes 41 seconds to elevate himself into fourth spot in the Series, making a late charge to challenge for the medal positions which are still in play. Griffiths had been kicking himself over the mistake, undoubtedly caused by the turn he took being used in a 15 mile course, but was satisfied with his efforts which included coping with a stiff northerly breeze that hampered progress along the Hodnet bypass. He stated: “Having taken the wrong turning back to Woollerton the weekend before I had unfinished business on this 25 mile course. I was very pleased I did enough to win the last race of my 20’s, but the final three miles were torture into the headwind”!

Griffiths beat Friction Series leader Tim Beardmore, who nevertheless opened up his lead over Henri Bedford to 40 points after the 17 year-old ended his day in 4th place on 56:45, just pushing out Tomos Hales by eight seconds. Beardmore has been having a great battle with Nova Raider’s Dean Callister this season, with the pair usually at or near the top of the standings regularly swapping places, but this time Beardmore got the better of things by just 10 seconds with a fine effort of 54:09. He revealed: “A pleasant morning for racing, although I don’t think it was a particularly fast day. I tried to save a bit for the last 10 miles which was tough with a headwind. I was pleased with my finishing position and time, big thanks to North Shropshire Wheelers for organising”.

Callister had recorded 52:56 the weekend before for a fine win, but his 54:19 ride for third showed how a strong headwind can sap the energy, requiring riders to present as small a frontal profile as possible or punch through the air using brute strength: “Very different conditions than the previous week, a nice clear dry morning. Not the best performance from me on the day as my power was down and found it very difficult. That said I was still pleased with how I did, thanks to North Shropshire Wheelers for putting the event on”. Bedford meanwhile has long had the Friction Junior title in his grasp, but still has his eyes on the Overall title. He commented: “Conditions didn’t seem to be overly great but despite this is was still nicer than the week before. A good course and alright legs made for a fun morning – thanks to North Shropshire Wheelers for hosting and to all of the marshals”.

Beardmore finished in runner-up spot in the Friction Veteran’s race too with a fine +13:34, a championship he has already sealed, but he had no answer for a rider on the comeback trail, Deb Hutson-Lumb who took her customary first place in both the Veterans with +15:27 and win in the Friction Women’s Series too with an actual time of 1:00:33, getting close to the magical 25mph average needed to beat the hour. But for an injury-delayed start to the season Hutson-Lumb would have been defending both titles she made her own in 2020, but was still pleased with her efforts: “Back on the time trial bike this week and with improving power numbers managed a Course personal best. It was a tough ride into the wind on the return leg but still preferable to heavy rain. Pleased with the ride, an enjoyable event -thank you North Shropshire Wheelers”.

Helen Tudor sealed the Women’s Series with three rounds to spare having put in some great rides, not least the 100 Championship with the bonus points earned adding to a tally that can no longer be beaten. She was self-effacing in her comments when told the Series was hers, as well as looking back on the effect Covid-19 has had on life: “I am surprised to win, I’m sure if Deb hadn’t have had an injury at the start of the season the trophy would have been heading her way. I’ve really appreciated the normality of racing this year, thanks to everyone who helped put events on”.

Result

Friction and Hydraulic Services Shropshire Championship Points Series – Round 16

Pos’n Forename Surname Club Cat Time Points
1 David Griffiths Oswestry Paragon CC S 0:51:41 60
2 Tim Beardmore Bridgnorth Cycling Club V 0:54:09 55
3 Dean Callister Nova Raiders S 0:54:19 50
4 Henri Bedford Revolutions Racing J 0:56:45 45
5 Tomos Hales Wrekinsport CC S 0:56:53 40
6 Jonathan Mills-Keeling Bridgnorth Cycling Club V 0:57:06 35
=7 Rob Jackson Wrekinsport CC V 0:58:54 30
=7 Oliver Rodwell Wrekinsport CC V 0:58:54 30
9 Darren Shaw SCCA Private Member V 0:59:25 20
10 Deb Hutson-Lumb Nova Raiders WV 01:00:33 15
11 Robbie Disney Ludlow CC S 01:01:37 10
12 Gareth Brookes North Shropshire Wheelers V 01:02:58 5
13 Peter Escritt Nova Raiders V 01:03:06 5
14 Gino Trasatti North Shropshire Wheelers V 01:05:20 5
15 John Westhead Paramount CRT V 01:06:45 5
16 Dave York Mid Shropshire Wheelers V 01:08:19 5
17 Simon Jones Hafren CC V 01:08:28 5
18 Jenny York Mid Shropshire Wheelers WV 01:09:27 5
19 Mark Stocks Newport (Shropshire) CC V 01:09:44 5
20 Helen Tudor Oswestry Paragon CC WV 01:11:14 5
21 David Wilson North Shropshire Wheelers V 01:16:35 5
22 Terry Price North Shropshire Wheelers V 01:17:33 5
23 Clare O’Donnell Wrekinsport CC WV 01:17:54 5
. Ian Connolly Ludlow CC V DNF .
. Jason Arnold Hafren CC V DNS-A .
. Les Boughey North Shropshire Wheelers V DNS-A .
. Victor Chetta SCCA Private Member V DNS-A .
. Bryn Davies Hafren CC V DNS-A .
. Graeme Donnell Nova Raiders V DNS-A .
. Andrew Lacon Nova Raiders S DNS-A .
. Leonie Keeling Oswestry Paragon CC V DNS .
. Karl Moseley Bridgnorth Cycling Club V DNS .

Friction and Hydraulic Services Veterans Championship – Round 16

Vets Pos’n Forename Surname Club Cat Vet +/- Vets Points
1 Deb Hutson-Lumb Nova Raiders WV +15:27 60
2 Tim Beardmore Bridgnorth Cycling Club V +13:34 55
3 Rob Jackson Wrekinsport CC V +10:45 50
4 Jonathan Mills-Keeling Bridgnorth Cycling Club V +10:37 45
5 Gino Trasatti North Shropshire Wheelers V +09:32 40
6 Jenny York Mid Shropshire Wheelers WV +08:57 35
7 Peter Escritt Nova Raiders V +08:47 30
8 Darren Shaw SCCA Private Member V +08:06 25
9 Oliver Rodwell Wrekinsport CC V +07:17 20
10 Gareth Brookes North Shropshire Wheelers V +05:39 15
11 John Westhead Paramount CRT V +05:08 10
12 Dave York Mid Shropshire Wheelers V +04:19 5
13 Helen Tudor Oswestry Paragon CC WV +03:39 5
14 David Wilson North Shropshire Wheelers V +03:10 5
15 Mark Stocks Newport (Shropshire) CC V -00:37 5
16 Simon Jones Hafren CC V -01:33 5
17 Clare O’Donnell Wrekinsport CC WV -03:01 5
18 Terry Price North Shropshire Wheelers V -10:02 5

Friction and Hydraulic Services Women’s Championship – Round 16

Women’s Pos’n Forename Surname Club Cat Time Women’s Points
1 Deb Hutson-Lumb Nova Raiders WV 01:00:33 60
2 Jenny York Mid Shropshire Wheelers WV 01:09:27 55
3 Helen Tudor Oswestry Paragon CC WV 01:11:14 50
4 Clare O’Donnell Wrekinsport CC WV 01:17:54 45

Friction and Hydraulic Services Junior Championship – Round 16

Junior Pos’n Forename Surname Club Cat Time Junior Points
1 Henri Bedford Revolutions Racing J 0:56:45 60

Top Club Award – Round 16

Pos’n Club Points
1 Wrekinsport CC 105
2 Bridgnorth Cycling Club 90
3 Nova Raiders 70
4 Oswestry Paragon CC 65
5 Revolutions Racing 45
6 North Shropshire Wheelers 20
=7 Ludlow CC 10
=7 Mid Shropshire Wheelers 10
=9 Hafren CC 5
=9 Newport (Shropshire) CC 5
=9 Paramount CRT 5

Cumulative Standings after sixteen rounds

Friction and Hydraulic Services Shropshire Championship Points Series

Position Name Club Cat Best 12
1 Tim Beardmore Bridgnorth CC V 660
2 Henri Bedford Revolutions Racing J 620
3 Jonathan Mills-Keeling Bridgnorth CC V 505
4 David Griffiths Oswestry Paragon CC S 400
5 Dean Callister Nova Raiders S 390
6 Bryn Davies Hafren CC V 305
=7 Tomos Hales Wrekinsport CC S 300
=7 Victor Chetta SCCA Private Member V 300
9 Andrew Lacon Nova Raiders S 295
10 Kieran Morris Oswestry Paragon CC S 285

Friction and Hydraulic Services Veterans Championship

Position Name Club Best 12
1 Tim Beardmore Bridgnorth CC 735
2 Jonathan Mills-Keeling Bridgnorth CC 650
=3 Graeme Donnell Nova Raiders 415
=3 Rob Jackson Wrekinsport CC 415
5 Bryn Davies Hafren CC 410
6 Victor Chetta SCCA Private Member 325
7 Andrew Rose Nova Raiders 310
8 Deb Hutson-Lumb Nova Raiders 285
9 Leonie Keeling Oswestry Paragon CC 210
10 Gino Trasatti North Shropshire Wheelers 170

Friction and Hydraulic Services Women’s Championship

Women’s Pos’n Name Club Best 12
1 Helen Tudor Oswestry Paragon CC 600
2 Alison Dockney Market Drayton CC 365
3 Leonie Keeling Oswestry Paragon CC 335
4 Deb Hutson-Lumb Nova Raiders 300
5 Emma Serjeant Hafren CC 285
6 Jenny Newton Nova Raiders 255
7 Jenny York Mid Shropshire Wheelers 195
=8 Alison Salthouse SCCA Private Member 130
=8 Clare O’Donnell Wrekinsport CC 130
10 Lauren Turley Nova Raiders 125

Friction and Hydraulic Services Junior Championship

Junior Pos’n Name Club Best 12
1 Henri Bedford Revolutions Racing 730
=2 Ben Southgate Wrekinsport CC 55
=2 Harry Corney Market Drayton CC 55
=2 Max Bufton Hafren CC 55
5 Alex Hart Mid Shropshire Wheelers 50
6 Noah White Mid Shropshire Wheelers 45

Top Club Award

Position Club Total Points
1 Nova Raiders  1400
2 Bridgnorth CC 1315
3 Oswestry Paragon CC 940
4 Wrekinsport CC 870
5 Revolutions Racing 605
6 Hafren CC 455
7 Holohan Coaching RT 340
8 Mid Shropshire Wheelers 255
9 Ludlow CC 165
10 North Shropshire Wheelers 165
11 Newport Shropshire CC 110
12 Paramount CRT 100
13 Clee Cycles 70
14 Market Drayton CC 60