R20 Friction Hydraulics Series: WCTTCA 25

The final round of the Friction Hydraulics Series saw a first start and win of the year for a multiple Shropshire Best All Rounder Victor Chetta in the West Cheshire TTCA 25. Chetta showed he’d lost none of his form with a dominant win of 54 minutes 40 seconds on the Tern Hill – Shawbirch course as well as taking the Veterans win with +12:15 on an initially cool and foggy morning having had the season off due to personal commitments. That fog however made for easy passage through the air on a rare ‘float’ morning where times throughout are fast. Chetta just couldn’t resist seeing how his form had been affected by the layoff; and on the evidence of this ride not by much. He stated: “It’s good to be back, that was my first race in just over a year, with other commitments having taking priority for most of the current racing season. As a result I did feel a little bit rusty, and though the weather conditions seemed reasonable I didn’t go quite as fast as I perhaps would have liked, but it was useful to see how I’m currently going, prior to planning my off-season training as I intend to race through the whole season next year. It was good to see some familiar faces at race HQ afterwards”.

Chetta’s nearest challenger was Paramount CRT’s Chris Riley, equalling his highest place finish of the Series with a fine runner-up spot of 57:20, beating team mate Simon Romei by a solitary second – and captured Friction Series Veteran’s Bronze in the process thanks to recording +11:32, one of four remaining Friction Series medals undecided going into the race. Riley was pleased with his efforts at the tail end of an excellent season which has seen him challenge at the top of the standings regularly. He commented: “A misty float morning and field including prestigious past champions made for a lovely end to the brilliant Friction Hydraulics Series. The best result I’ve managed in any county round; and a podium in the Friction Hydraulics Veterans is the cherry on a season long campaign – a great race by WCTTCA; and thanks to Rob Jones for more of his superb photography”.

Romei stopped the watch agonisingly one second off Riley’s mark, and it was the same 1-2-3 in the Veterans even after the age adjusted weightings had been applied, with Romei registering +9:34. Out of action due to Covid-19, Romei was determined to make the most of his recovery in the final chance to race a 25 mile time trial in 2022. He stated: “The race went better than I expected as I had been sidelined by Covid and had to miss the last two 25 mile races. I thought I’ve got to go all out and go hard, which certainly paid off as I was very pleased with my time, especially this being my first 25 race of the season. I would also like to mention the organisation which was outstanding, with a special thanks to all the marshals who braved the fog”.

In the Friction Women’s Series it was another first-time entrant who pulled off the win with Paramount having a great morning after Gwyneth Parry took the win in a strong time of 1:03:14, beating Friction Women’s Series winner Helen Tudor by 4:27. Parry decided to ride a time trial after a season gaining fitness on the road, as she explained: “A great, well organised event. Overall I was happy with my ride after focusing on road racing mostly this season – thanks to all the marshals for standing out in the fog”!

Two of the outstanding medals were settled between Wrekinsport CC club mates as Victoria Doran took Friction Women’s Silver after a fabulous season which has seen her race everything from 10 mile distance up to 100. This has been with the encouragement of her team mates, and Silver is richly deserved for stepping up. Doran reflected on the season, showing that 2022 has been a learning process: “If you had said to me last year that I would have done so many time trials, with distances all the way up to 100 miles and that I’d finish with Silver in the Friction Series, I would not have believed you! Some races have gone well, some not so well, but I have learned a lot from each one and steadily improved as the season has gone on – Silver is the icing on the cake”!

Team mate Deb Hutson-Lumb took Women’s Bronze in a season where she has self-admittedly struggled a little for form and inspiration – not that that has stopped her winning 10 races in the Series. She commented: “After a late start to the season and never quite finding my race head I was really pleased to win Friction Women’s Bronze. Congratulations to Helen and Vic for their very well deserved Gold and Silver”.

Romei’s son Chester made it a family celebration after taking the Junior win in 1:02:36, sealing a great season with a lap of honour to round off winning the Frioction Junior Series. He stepped up to the slightly bizarre conditions well, commenting: “I was very pleased with my time considering the conditions weren’t the greatest. A reasonably early start meant fog and mist being one challenge that hadn’t occurred in any of my races before! A massive thank you to everyone involved with the organisation of this event”!

The final medal went to Mid Shropshire Wheelers, taking Junior Bronze, who declared: “I’m very surprised and pleased to take a medal”.

After a great season-long battle with Bridgnorth CC, Wrekinsport were confirmed as Top Club Award winners with a solid 520 point victory, showing the depth of interest in winning the award throughout the club in their 100^th anniversary year.

SCCA:

Vets:

Women:

Junior:

Top Club Award:

Final Cumulative Standings after twenty rounds

Friction and Hydraulic Services Shropshire Championship Points Series

Friction and Hydraulic Services Veterans Championship

Friction and Hydraulic Services Women’s Championship

Friction and Hydraulic Services Junior Championship

Top Club Award