R2 Mower Mec 2-Up Series: North Shropshire Wheelers 10

Oswestry Paragon’s Peter Fletcher and Jack Young headed to the top of the Mower Mec 2-Up Series standings after Round 2 with a narrow eight second victory in less than ideal conditions in North Shropshire Wheelers’ 10 mile event. Fletcher and Young stopped the watch on 23 minutes 33 seconds despite not knowing the circuit and the significant age difference between the team mates. They edged out the North Shropshire Wheelers’ pairing of James Neale and James Powell, who ended up as runners-up in 23:41.

Speaking for the team, Fletcher was delighted with this result, which sees them open a 12 point advantage over Emma Brown and Liz Hagen. He stated: “On a breezy evening, and on a course we’d not ridden before there was a little trepidation. However, it didn’t go too badly for Jack and I in the end. With the start leading off by myself, we settled into our usual minute efforts and operated the “See how it goes” approach. As usual, with Jack being 21 and me 53, there is always a little disparity between us, but he kept himself calm. Unfortunately, I completely clipped out of my pedals and there was a little direction change towards the end. We were happy with the result we achieved. Both Jack and I would like to thank the organisers, marshals and fellow competitors for another enjoyable evening and look forward to doing it again in a few weeks time”.

Neale and Powell took second spot comfortably ahead of their team mate Richard Kay and the unaffiliated Darren Hollins, crossing the line in 25:02. Neale’s comments show that the pairing worked well – and that he is much fitter this year than last: “It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening. After a difficult 2024 my fitness levels have returned and I felt much more competitive. James P and I benefited from the drafting, and I was able to put a strong effort in the end on the most challenging bit of the course. We were both pleased with the time – thanks to all the volunteers”.

As well as holding the runner-up spot in the Overall competition Paramount’s Emma Brown and Liz Hagen also extended their lead at the top of the Mower Mec Female Series with a challenge coming from Market Drayton’s Jane Morris and Jenny Cooper. The Paramount pair finished in 28:01, with the Market Drayton team back on 29:18. Brown and Hagen, after a first pairing in Round 1 seem to be getting used to each other’s styles and worked well together; with Brown commenting: “It was another great evening for a quick 10 mile 2-Up time trial, with myself and Liz coincidentally getting the same race numbers as the first 2-Up. This race was good, fun and fast, and we felt more co-ordinated, both working hard to take nearly a minute off our previous race time. We also had competition with another women’s team which made it more fun and even more competitive- another great event in the bag”! Hagen added: “Another fun and well run event, super pleased to take another 20 points for the club”.

There was only one Mixed Team entry on the night from the unaffiliated pairing of Evie Fryer-Jones and Mitchell Fletcher registering 26:01, so no points were scored, leaving Sorrell Williams and Karl Lombardi leading the standings.

Result:

Mixed Team:

Females:

Cumulative Standings after two rounds

Overall

Mixed Team:

Female Team: