It may have been a low-key entry but the 18th and penultimate round of the Friction Hydraulics Series proved decisive in sealing the destinations of all the Overall medals as well as the Veterans Championship in the West Cheshire TTCA 25. The third 25 run on the Tern Hill – Shawbirch course this Series, Tim Beardmore led from the front to not only take the event win but to help himself to Friction Series Gold, consigning Henri Bedford to Silver on a tough morning. Beardmore stopped the watch on 54 minutes 55 seconds to beat Bridgnorth CC team mate Jonathan Mills-Keeling into runner-up spot. Beardmore has been on fire all season and took the Friction Series thanks to a fine run of personal bests, as he eluded to I his post-race comments: “A strong headwind on the way out was really hard work. I was so glad to get to the turn. Not a particularly great time, but I was really pleased to take the county win, and seal the Overall Series win too. I’ve had a very consistent season and managed to maintain my form throughout with lifetime personal bests at 10, 50, and 100 mile distances, and winning the Series is the icing on the cake. As ever, thanks to everyone involved in organising races and thanks to all competitors for spurring me on”.
Mills-Keeling is one of a significant number of riders who are tasting success in their first full season of time trialling and posted a fine 56:43 effort, meaning he took Series Bronze at the first attempt. He was however shocked when told of that medal win, stating: “That’s great, I wasn’t expecting that! My first season doing time trails and I’ve really enjoyed them. As for the WCTTCA 25 it was an early start and typical early autumn weather, so I was happy with the result”.
Taking third on the day Wrekinsport’s Rob Jackson beat Ben Gilpin by exactly a minute with his 58:48 ride, but it was the 45 extra points he gained for finishing 4th Veteran in +10:51 that won him Friction Veterans Bronze. Jackson punched through the wind in a determined effort on the way out to Shawbirch, burying himself in search of that medal, as he revealed in his post-race comments: “I went out hard to limit time losses into headwind and strategy really paid off. I’m proud to secure Veterans Bronze with a decent ride after long hard season, although I’ve been luckier than one or two more capable riders with injuries”.
Meanwhile Bedford sat this round out but was still pleased with taking Overall Silver after a huge season-long battle with Beardmore: “I am delighted with coming runner-up in the overall Friction Hydraulics Series, tough races have made for a challenging year but none of it is possible without all of the amazing volunteers and organisers. Massive thanks to everyone involved”.
Beardmore and Mills-Keeling finished 2nd and 3rd in the Veterans race in +12:48 an +11:00 respectively, but there was no stopping Deb Hutson-Lumb from taking a familiar win in +14:58. Despite this win she struggled into the stiff wind and nearly called it quits – but was glad she didn’t: “I spent the first half of the race looking for any excuse to get off the bike but managed to wake up after the turn. Despite getting stuck behind traffic on the way back I equalled my 25 power personal best. A good end (almost) to my season. Well done to everyone racing and fabulous job, thank you marshals”.
SCCA:
| Pos’n | Name | Club | Cat | Time | Points |
| 1 | Tim Beardmore | Bridgnorth CC | V | 54:55 | 60 |
| 2 | Jonathan Mills-Keeting | Bridgnorth CC | V | 56:43 | 55 |
| 3 | Rob Jackson | Wrekinsport CC | V | 58:48 | 50 |
| 4 | Ben Gilpin | Nova Raiders | S | 59:48 | 45 |
| 5 | Deb Hutson-Lumb | Nova Raiders | WV | 1:01:02 | 40 |
| 6 | Andrew Clarke | North Shropshire Wheelers | V | 1:04:55 | 35 |
| 7 | Jenny Newton | Nova Raiders | WV | 1:06:06 | 30 |
| 8 | Simon Jones | Hafren CC | V | 1:07:39 | 25 |
| 9 | Helen Tudor | Oswestry Paragon CC | WV | 1:10:11 | 20 |
| 10 | Mark Stocks | Newport (Shrops) CC | V | 1:10:15 | 15 |
| . | Bryn Davies | Hafren CC | V | DNS | . |
| . | Terry Price | North Shropshire Wheelers | V | DNS | . |
| . | Gareth Brookes | North Shropshire Wheelers | V | DNS | . |
| . | Peter Escritt | Nova Raiders | V | DNS | . |
| . | Simon Romei | Paramount CRT | V | DNS | . |
| . | Victor Chetta | SCCA Private Member | V | DNS | . |
Women:
| Women’s Pos’n | Name | Club | Cat | Time | Women’s Points |
| 1 | Deb Hutson-Lumb | Nova Raiders | WV | 1:01:02 | 60 |
| 2 | Jenny Newton | Nova Raiders | WV | 1:06:06 | 55 |
| 3 | Helen Tudor | Oswestry Paragon CC | WV | 1:10:11 | 50 |
Veterans:
| Vets Pos’n | Name | Club | Cat | Vet +/- | Vets Points |
| 1 | Deb Hutson-Lumb | Nova Raiders | WV | +14:58 | 60 |
| 2 | Tim Beardmore | Bridgnorth CC | V | +12:48 | 55 |
| 3 | Jonathan Mills-Keeting | Bridgnorth CC | V | +11:00 | 50 |
| 4 | Rob Jackson | Wrekinsport CC | V | +10:51 | 45 |
| 5 | Jenny Newton | Nova Raiders | WV | +08:32 | 40 |
| 6 | Andrew Clarke | North Shropshire Wheelers | V | +06:16 | 35 |
| 7 | Helen Tudor | Oswestry Paragon CC | WV | +04:42 | 30 |
| 8 | Simon Jones | Hafren CC | V | -00:32 | 25 |
| 9 | Mark Stocks | Newport (Shrops) CC | V | -01:08 | 20 |
Top Club Award:
| Pos’n | Club | Points |
| 1 | Bridgnorth CC | 115 |
| 1 | Nova Raiders | 115 |
| 3 | Wrekinsport CC | 50 |
| 4 | North Shropshire Wheelers | 35 |
| 5 | Hafren CC | 25 |
| 6 | Oswestry Paragon CC | 20 |
| 7 | Newport (Shrops) CC | 15 |
Cumulative Standings after eighteen Rounds
Overall:
| Position | Name | Club | Cat | Best 12 |
| 1 | Tim Beardmore | Bridgnorth CC | V | 680 |
| 2 | Henri Bedford | Revolutions Racing | J | 630 |
| 3 | Jonathan Mills-Keeling | Bridgnorth CC | V | 565 |
| 4 | Dean Callister | Nova Raiders | S | 450 |
| 5 | David Griffiths | Oswestry Paragon CC | S | 400 |
| 6 | Rob Jackson | Wrekinsport CC | V | 310 |
| 7 | Bryn Davies | Hafren CC | V | 305 |
| 8 | Tomos Hales | Wrekinsport CC | S | 300 |
| 8 | Victor Chetta | SCCA Private Member | V | 300 |
| 10 | Andrew Lacon | Nova Raiders | S | 295 |
Veterans:
| Position | Name | Club | Best 12 |
| 1 | Tim Beardmore | Bridgnorth CC | 735 |
| 2 | Jonathan Mills-Keeling | Bridgnorth CC | 660 |
| 3 | Rob Jackson | Wrekinsport CC | 505 |
| 4 | Graeme Donnell | Nova Raiders | 415 |
| 5 | Bryn Davies | Hafren CC | 410 |
| 6 | Deb Hutson-Lumb | Nova Raiders | 405 |
| 7 | Victor Chetta | SCCA Private Member | 325 |
| 8 | Andrew Rose | Nova Raiders | 310 |
| 9 | Gino Trasatti | North Shropshire Wheelers | 220 |
| 10 | Leonie Keeling | Oswestry Paragon CC | 210 |
Women:
| Women’s Pos’n | Name | Club | Best 12 |
| 1 | Helen Tudor | Oswestry Paragon CC | 625 |
| 2 | Deb Hutson-Lumb | Nova Raiders | 420 |
| 3 | Alison Dockney | Market Drayton CC | 365 |
| 4 | Leonie Keeling | Oswestry Paragon CC | 335 |
| 5 | Jenny Newton | Nova Raiders | 310 |
| 6 | Emma Serjeant | Hafren CC | 285 |
| 7 | Jenny York | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | 245 |
| 8 | Alison Salthouse | SCCA Private Member | 130 |
| 9 | Clare O’Donnell | Wrekinsport CC | 130 |
| 10 | Lauren Turley | Nova Raiders | 125 |
Juniors:
| 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 | 1615 |
| 2 | Bridgnorth CC | 1480 |
| 3 | Oswestry Paragon CC | 995 |
| 4 | Wrekinsport CC | 965 |
| 5 | Revolutions Racing | 660 |
| 6 | Hafren CC | 510 |
| 7 | Holohan Coaching RT | 340 |
| 8 | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | 270 |
| 9 | North Shropshire Wheelers | 235 |
| 10 | Ludlow CC | 165 |
| 11 | Newport Shropshire CC | 150 |
| 12 | Paramount CRT | 100 |
| 13 | Clee Cycles | 70 |
| 14 | Market Drayton CC | 60 |