The blue riband event of Shropshire Time Trialling saw a close battle for County medals with riders getting a huge assist from the wind from Tern Hill down to Shawbirch but then facing a grovel back. Dan Watts took a fabulous win in his second event in just 17 hours over much the same roads and conditions in the UK ICT Shropshire Championship 25 presented by North Shropshire Wheelers; so knowing where to dig in thanks to that reconnoitre appeared to help as he took Shropshire 25 mile Championship Gold and The Freeston Trophy by 46 seconds from Victor Chetta.
Watts has no illusions about the task facing him with some quality riders at the head of the field and dug deep into his reserves to take the win in 53 minutes 41 seconds. He stated: “I knew I had to produce a good ride to win as the competition has been close in all the preceding events. I got out to the turn well and then spent 12 miles hanging on, on the way back. I was really happy to walk away with the win in this event, and hopefully I can carry momentum to the next one”.
Chetta meanwhile was satisfied with Silver, especially as he was carrying an injury and just beat off the attentions of Nova Raiders’ Tim Beardmore by 11 seconds in a fine time of 54:27 – just over 27.5mph average as he revealed: “I was very pleased with second whilst still injured after a motorcycle crash a few weeks ago that ruined my previous two races. My new position and setup are working well”.
Beardmore lost his warm up thanks to a kit failure but that didn’t stop him taking Bronze in 54:38, pushing out Wrekinsport’s Chris Halford from an Overall medal by 23 seconds. That unfortunate lack of preparation was probably instrumental in the battle with Chetta not being closer, but that didn’t stop Beardmore snaffling three County medals, leading his Nova Raiders team to Team 25 Gold with great support from Dean Callister and Dean Dovey, and taking Veterans Silver with +13:02, 41 seconds behind team mate Deb Hutson-Lumb who is in unstoppable form. Beardmore revealed what the issues were post-race: “My race preparation went out of the window when the zip broke on my skin suit just as I was about to get on the bike. Luckily I had my old suit with me, but I think it affected my race. I couldn’t seem to get a good rhythm or the power down on the way out. The return leg went better into the head wind and I finished strong, but I was left feeling slightly frustrated. Big congratulations to Dan and Victor on taking Gold and Silver; and anther amazing ride by Debs to take Veteran’s Gold. Team Gold was a nice bonus. Big thanks to North Shropshire Wheelers for organising, and well done to all who competed”.
Dean Callister didn’t feel he had the best of rides either despite finishing 5th 30 seconds behind Halford in 55:31. With Dean Dovey taking 11th spot in 59:34 Nova Raiders posted a fine Team combined effort of 2:49:43, seeing off the ttentions of Wrekinsport and also stretching their defence of the Top Club Award to 110 point advantage over the same club. Callister explained: “The ride didn’t go to plan for me as I appeared to have left my legs at home. My power was down, but I did the best I could and tried to push on. I’m happy with my time considering. Great times posted by the rest of the team, very pleased with Team Gold. A great event by North Shropshire Wheelers, and thanks to all involved”. Dovey added: “A 25 time trial seemed quite daunting with the crisp morning, but it soon warmed up with a tailwind ‘out’ leg. I paced it well and felt good on the return, and was surprised with a team placing as Raiders are flying this year. There were some great rides and great organisation from North Shropshire Wheelers; big thanks for hosting in these difficult times”.
Hutson-Lumb meanwhile took her almost customary double win, successfully defending both her 2019 25 mile titles to take home a brace of Gold medals as well as The Brian and Gill Morrison Trophy thanks to a 1:01:15 actual which converted to +13:43 Veteran’s Standard. Hutson-Lumb struggled to keep control of her new bike however thanks to the wrong wheel selection, but that didn’t stop her taking the Women’s win by nearly seven minutes, a huge margin. She stated: “Firstly thanks to North Shropshire Wheelers for a great event on what is my favourite local 25 course. A shallower front wheel would have been a good choice though as the bike kept crabbing across the road in the wind. I enjoyed the ride though, and was pleased with my time. Good to see a few more familiar faces out racing, and looking forward to what is left of the season”.
Mid Shropshire Wheelers’ Jenny York took Women’s Silver in 1:08:02, beating off the attentions of Hafren CC’s Louise Hurdley by 1:05. York seemed to enjoy being back to racing after a truncated season which her comments indicated: “I was pleased to be back out racing again. A tough day, so I was happy to get Silver. Thanks to Elaine and North Shropshire Wheelers for running a super event, it was great to be back with everyone enjoying the banter”. Hurdley meanwhile also noted the effect of the strong wind but expressed satisfaction with her 1:09:07 effort: “I enjoyed the course, it was a bit windy in parts but overall not too bad, I was pleased with my time. Big thanks to all the marshals and organisers”.
Taking Junior Gold as well as The Jack Pitchford Trophy for best Under-21 rider for the first time Revolutions Racing’s Henri Bedford was delighted with his 56:12 ride which showed his increasing strength as he helped himself to 6th place in the Overall standings. The 16 year-old stated: “I was glad to come 6th overall against a class field of riders. It was lovely and fast all the way to Shawbirch but I crawled home after the roundabout. Thanks to North Shropshire Wheelers for hosting the event – and to all the volunteers”.
That left the final word to Wrekinsport’s who took the remaining medal on offer, Veteran’s Bronze thanks to a fine +12:39 effort, 39 seconds ahead of Chetta when converted to Veteran’s Standard. Never one to use three words when one will suffice Halford’s comment was typically restrained: “I went really well after a week off the bike – I must have been well rested! Well done to the top three”.
Full Result:
| Pos’n | Forename | Surname | Cat | Club | Time |
| 1 | Daniel | Watts | S | SCCA Private Member | 00:53:41 |
| 2 | Victor | Chetta | V | SCCA Private Member | 00:54:27 |
| 3 | Tim | Beardmore | V | Nova Raiders | 00:54:38 |
| 4 | Christopher | Halford | V | Wrekinsport CC | 00:55:01 |
| 5 | Dean | Callister | S | Nova Raiders | 00:55:31 |
| 6 | Henri | Bedford | J | Revolutions Racing | 00:56:12 |
| 7 | Bryn | Davies | V | Hafren CC | 00:57:26 |
| 8 | Tomos | Hales | S | Wrekinsport CC | 00:59:06 |
| 9 | Graham | Noble | V | Pirate Juice CC | 00:59:07 |
| 10 | Phillip | Warburton | V | Liverpool Phoenix CC (Aintree) | 00:59:16 |
| 11 | Dean | Dovey | V | Nova Raiders | 00:59:34 |
| 12 | Nicholas | Long | S | Nova Raiders | 00:59:42 |
| 13 | Andrew | Rose | V | Nova Raiders | 00:59:45 |
| 14 | Oliver | Rodwell | V | Wrekinsport CC | 01:00:01 |
| 15 | Philip | Hill | V | Pirate Juice CC | 01:00:25 |
| 16 | Mark | Pritchard | S | Nova Raiders | 01:01:02 |
| 17 | Fraser | MacKinnon | V | Wrekinsport CC | 01:01:11 |
| 18 | Deb | Hutson-Lumb | WV | Nova Raiders | 01:01:15 |
| 19 | Adam | Mumford | S | Wrekinsport CC | 01:01:19 |
| 20 | Graeme | Donnell | V | Nova Raiders | 01:01:31 |
| 21 | Richard | Baker | V | Audlem Cycling Club | 01:02:20 |
| 22 | Rob | Jackson | V | Wrekinsport CC | 01:02:40 |
| 23 | Lucy | Rogers | WV | Congleton CC | 01:02:47 |
| 24 | Dave | Moore | V | Wrekinsport CC | 01:03:17 |
| 25 | Ian | Connolly | V | Ludlow CC | 01:03:54 |
| 26 | Richard | Elmitt | V | Wrexham RC | 01:04:36 |
| 27 | Rich | Smith | V | Wrekinsport CC | 01:04:50 |
| 28 | Karen | Heppenstall | WV | Sportstest RT | 01:04:58 |
| 29 | Gino | Trasatti | V | North Shropshire Wheelers | 01:05:07 |
| 30 | Gareth | Brookes | V | North Shropshire Wheelers | 01:05:11 |
| 31 | Charlotte | Marshall | W | Royal Navy & Royal Marines CA | 01:05:19 |
| 32 | Phil | Guy | V | North Shropshire Wheelers | 01:05:38 |
| 33 | Allan | Henderson | S | Wrekinsport CC | 01:05:39 |
| 34 | Ben | Gilpin | S | Nova Raiders | 01:05:49 |
| 35 | Peter | Mulloy | V | Wrekinsport CC | 01:05:57 |
| 36 | John | Robertson | V | Wrekinsport CC | 01:06:11 |
| 37 | Stuart | Laurie | V | Wrexham RC | 01:07:01 |
| 38 | Philip | Gardner | V | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | 01:07:46 |
| 39 | Jenny | York | WV | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | 01:08:02 |
| 40 | Doug | Slater | V | North Shropshire Wheelers | 01:08:08 |
| 41 | Les | Boughey | V | North Shropshire Wheelers | 01:08:56 |
| 42 | Louise | Hurdley | WV | Hafren CC | 01:09:07 |
| 43 | Simon | Fox | V | Port Sunlight Wheelers | 01:09:16 |
| 44 | Gail | Lowe | WV | Niteriders | 01:09:33 |
| 45 | Ian | Casson | V | Birkenhead Victoria CC | 01:10:08 |
| 46 | Milly | Deer | W | North Shropshire Wheelers | 01:11:58 |
| 47 | Helen | Tudor | WV | Oswestry Paragon CC | 01:13:16 |
| 48 | Richard | Goddard | V | Newport (Shropshire) CC | 01:13:58 |
| 49 | terry | Price | V | North Shropshire Wheelers | 01:17:54 |
| 50 | David | Wilson | V | North Shropshire Wheelers | 01:18:04 |
| 51 | Clare | O’Donnell | WV | Wrekinsport CC | 01:30:13 |
| 52 | Peter | Norman | V | Wrexham RC | 01:36:59 |
| . | Stuart | McCormick | V | Pirate Juice CC | DNF |
| . | James | Neale | V | North Shropshire Wheelers | DNF |
| . | Richard | Howes | V | Wrekinsport CC | DNF |
| . | Eleanor | Turton | W | Seamons CC | DNS-A |
| . | Stephen | Smout | V | North Shropshire Wheelers | DNS-A |
| . | Philip | McCormick | V | Pirate Juice CC | DNS-A |
| . | Tony | Harvey | V | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | DNS |
| . | Mike | Booker | S | Chester RC | DNS |
SCCA:
| Pos’n | Forename | Surname | Cat | Club | Time | Points |
| 1 | Daniel | Watts | S | SCCA Private Member | 00:53:41 | 60 |
| 2 | Victor | Chetta | V | SCCA Private Member | 00:54:27 | 55 |
| 3 | Tim | Beardmore | V | Nova Raiders | 00:54:38 | 50 |
| 4 | Christopher | Halford | V | Wrekinsport CC | 00:55:01 | 45 |
| 5 | Dean | Callister | S | Nova Raiders | 00:55:31 | 40 |
| 6 | Henri | Bedford | J | Revolutions Racing | 00:56:12 | 35 |
| 7 | Bryn | Davies | V | Hafren CC | 00:57:26 | 30 |
| 8 | Tomos | Hales | S | Wrekinsport CC | 00:59:06 | 25 |
| 11 | Dean | Dovey | V | Nova Raiders | 00:59:34 | 20 |
| 12 | Nicholas | Long | S | Nova Raiders | 00:59:42 | 15 |
| 13 | Andrew | Rose | V | Nova Raiders | 00:59:45 | 10 |
| 14 | Oliver | Rodwell | V | Wrekinsport CC | 01:00:01 | 5 |
| 16 | Mark | Pritchard | S | Nova Raiders | 01:01:02 | 5 |
| 17 | Fraser | MacKinnon | V | Wrekinsport CC | 01:01:11 | 5 |
| 18 | Deb | Hutson-Lumb | WV | Nova Raiders | 01:01:15 | 5 |
| 19 | Adam | Mumford | S | Wrekinsport CC | 01:01:19 | 5 |
| 20 | Graeme | Donnell | V | Nova Raiders | 01:01:31 | 5 |
| 22 | Rob | Jackson | V | Wrekinsport CC | 01:02:40 | 5 |
| 24 | Dave | Moore | V | Wrekinsport CC | 01:03:17 | 5 |
| 25 | Ian | Connolly | V | Ludlow CC | 01:03:54 | 5 |
| 27 | Rich | Smith | V | Wrekinsport CC | 01:04:50 | 5 |
| 29 | Gino | Trasatti | V | North Shropshire Wheelers | 01:05:07 | 5 |
| 30 | Gareth | Brookes | V | North Shropshire Wheelers | 01:05:11 | 5 |
| 32 | Phil | Guy | V | North Shropshire Wheelers | 01:05:38 | 5 |
| 33 | Allan | Henderson | S | Wrekinsport CC | 01:05:39 | 5 |
| 34 | Ben | Gilpin | S | Nova Raiders | 01:05:49 | 5 |
| 35 | Peter | Mulloy | V | Wrekinsport CC | 01:05:57 | 5 |
| 36 | John | Robertson | V | Wrekinsport CC | 01:06:11 | 5 |
| 38 | Philip | Gardner | V | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | 01:07:46 | 5 |
| 39 | Jenny | York | WV | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | 01:08:02 | 5 |
| 40 | Doug | Slater | V | North Shropshire Wheelers | 01:08:08 | 5 |
| 41 | Les | Boughey | V | North Shropshire Wheelers | 01:08:56 | 5 |
| 42 | Louise | Hurdley | WV | Hafren CC | 01:09:07 | 5 |
| 46 | Milly | Deer | W | North Shropshire Wheelers | 01:11:58 | 5 |
| 47 | Helen | Tudor | WV | Oswestry Paragon CC | 01:13:16 | 5 |
| 48 | Richard | Goddard | V | Newport (Shropshire) CC | 01:13:58 | 5 |
| 49 | terry | Price | V | North Shropshire Wheelers | 01:17:54 | 5 |
| 50 | David | Wilson | V | North Shropshire Wheelers | 01:18:04 | 5 |
| 51 | Clare | O’Donnell | WV | Wrekinsport CC | 01:30:13 | 5 |
| . | James | Neale | V | North Shropshire Wheelers | DNF | |
| . | Richard | Howes | V | Wrekinsport CC | DNF | |
| . | Stephen | Smout | V | North Shropshire Wheelers | DNS-A | |
| . | Tony | Harvey | V | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | DNS |
Veterans:
| Vets Pos’n | Forename | Surname | Cat | Club | Vet +/- | Vets Points |
| 1 | Deb | Hutson-Lumb | WV | Nova Raiders | +13:43 | 60 |
| 2 | Tim | Beardmore | V | Nova Raiders | +13:02 | 55 |
| 3 | Christopher | Halford | V | Wrekinsport CC | +12:39 | 50 |
| 4 | Victor | Chetta | V | SCCA Private Member | +12:00 | 45 |
| 5 | Bryn | Davies | V | Hafren CC | +10:02 | 40 |
| 6 | Dean | Dovey | V | Nova Raiders | +09:29 | 35 |
| 7 | Phil | Guy | V | North Shropshire Wheelers | +09:02 | 30 |
| 8 | Jenny | York | WV | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | +08:52 | 25 |
| 9 | Andrew | Rose | V | Nova Raiders | +08:41 | 20 |
| 10 | Gino | Trasatti | V | North Shropshire Wheelers | +08:35 | 15 |
| 11 | Graeme | Donnell | V | Nova Raiders | +07:32 | 10 |
| 12 | Louise | Hurdley | WV | Hafren CC | +06:53 | 5 |
| 13 | Rob | Jackson | V | Wrekinsport CC | +06:36 | 5 |
| 14 | Fraser | MacKinnon | V | Wrekinsport CC | +06:29 | 5 |
| 15 | Dave | Moore | V | Wrekinsport CC | +06:13 | 5 |
| 16 | Oliver | Rodwell | V | Wrekinsport CC | +05:59 | 5 |
| 17 | John | Robertson | V | Wrekinsport CC | +05:33 | 5 |
| 18 | Peter | Mulloy | V | Wrekinsport CC | +04:50 | 5 |
| 19 | Ian | Connolly | V | Ludlow CC | +04:21 | 5 |
| 20 | Gareth | Brookes | V | North Shropshire Wheelers | +03:15 | 5 |
| 21 | Doug | Slater | V | North Shropshire Wheelers | +01:22 | 5 |
| 22 | Helen | Tudor | WV | Oswestry Paragon CC | +00:48 | 5 |
| 23 | Philip | Gardner | V | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | +00:40 | 5 |
| 24 | Les | Boughey | V | North Shropshire Wheelers | +00:34 | 5 |
| 25 | David | Wilson | V | North Shropshire Wheelers | +00:23 | 5 |
| 26 | Richard | Goddard | V | Newport (Shropshire) CC | -04:42 | 5 |
| 27 | terry | Price | V | North Shropshire Wheelers | -10:26 | 5 |
| 28 | Clare | O’Donnell | WV | Wrekinsport CC | -16:09 | 5 |
Women’s:
| Women’s Pos’n | Forename | Surname | Cat | Club | Time | Women’s Points |
| 1 | Deb | Hutson-Lumb | WV | Nova Raiders | 01:01:15 | 60 |
| 2 | Jenny | York | WV | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | 01:08:02 | 55 |
| 3 | Louise | Hurdley | WV | Hafren CC | 01:09:07 | 50 |
| 4 | Milly | Deer | W | North Shropshire Wheelers | 01:11:58 | 45 |
| 5 | Helen | Tudor | WV | Oswestry Paragon CC | 01:13:16 | 40 |
| 6 | Clare | O’Donnell | WV | Wrekinsport CC | 01:30:13 | 35 |
Juniors:
| Junior Pos’n | Forename | Surname | Cat | Club | Time | Junior Points |
| 1 | Henri | Bedford | J | Revolutions Racing | 00:56:12 | 60 |
Top Club Award:
| Pos’n | Club | Points |
| 1 | Nova Raiders | 155 |
| 2 | Wrekinsport CC | 120 |
| 3 | North Shropshire Wheelers | 40 |
| 4 | Hafren CC | 35 |
| 4 | Revolutions Racing | 35 |
| 6 | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | 10 |
| 7 | Ludlow CC | 5 |
| 7 | Newport (Shropshire) CC | 5 |
| 7 | Oswestry Paragon CC | 5 |
Team 25 Award:
| Nova Raiders | 02:49:43 |
Cumulative Standings after four rounds
Friction and Hydraulic Services Shropshire Championship Points Series
| Position | Name | Club | Cat | Best 5 |
| 1 | Tim Beardmore | Nova Raiders | V | 185 |
| 2 | Henri Bedford | Revolutions Racing | J | 170 |
| 3 | Daniel Watts | SCCA Private Member | S | 150 |
| 4 | Dean Callister | Nova Raiders | S | 135 |
| =5 | Christopher Halford | Wrekinsport CC | V | 120 |
| =5 | Kieran Morris | SCCA Private Member | S | 120 |
| =7 | Tomos Hales | Wrekinsport CC | S | 95 |
| =7 | Victor Chetta | SCCA Private Member | V | 95 |
| 9 | Liam Holohan | Holohan Coaching RT | S | 60 |
| 10 | Ben Pierce | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | J | 55 |
Friction and Hydraulic Services Veterans Championship
| Position | Name | Club | Best 5 |
| 1 | Deb Hutson-Lumb | Nova Raiders | 230 |
| 2 | Tim Beardmore | Nova Raiders | 220 |
| 3 | Christopher Halford | Wrekinsport CC | 155 |
| 4 | Victor Chetta | SCCA Private Member | 100 |
| =5 | Dean Dovey | Nova Raiders | 95 |
| =5 | Phil Guy | North Shropshire Wheelers | 95 |
| 7 | Jonathan Mills-Keeling | Cycle Club Bridgnorth RWG | 90 |
| 8 | Bryn Davies | Hafren CC | 80 |
| 9 | Andrew Rose | Nova Raiders | 75 |
| 10 | Jenny York | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | 60 |
Friction and Hydraulic Services Women’s Championship
| Women’s Pos’n | Name | Club | Best 5 |
| 1 | Deb Hutson-Lumb | Nova Raiders | 240 |
| 2 | Louise Hurdley | Hafren CC | 185 |
| 3 | Bethan Till | Wrekinsport CC | 145 |
| 4 | Helen Tudor | Oswestry Paragon CC | 110 |
| 5 | Jenny York | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | 105 |
| 6 | Clare O’Donnell | Wrekinsport CC | 70 |
| =7 | Emma Serjeant | Hafren CC | 55 |
| =7 | Rebecca Woodvine | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | 55 |
| =9 | Carys Blowers | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | 45 |
| =9 | Milly Deer | North Shropshire Wheelers | 45 |
Friction and Hydraulic Services Junior Championship
| Junior Pos’n | Name | Club | Best 12 |
| 1 | Henri Bedford | Revolutions Racing | 235 |
| 2 | Carys Blowers | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | 95 |
| 3 | Ben Pierce | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | 60 |
| 4 | James Satoor | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | 55 |
| 5 | Rebecca Woodvine | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | 50 |
Top Club Award
| Position | Club | Total Points |
| 1 | Nova Raiders | 510 |
| 2 | Wrekinsport CC | 400 |
| 3 | Revolutions Racing | 170 |
| 4 | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | 140 |
| 5 | Holohan Coaching RT | 110 |
| =6 | CC Bridgnorth RWG | 80 |
| =6 | Hafren CC | 80 |
| 8 | North Shropshire Wheelers | 65 |
| 9 | SCCA Private Member | 40 |
| =10 | Ludlow Brewery RT | 20 |
| =10 | Ludlow CC | 20 |
| =12 | Newport (Shropshire) CC | 15 |
| =12 | Oswestry Paragon CC | 15 |
| =14 | Paramount CRT | 5 |
| =14 | Propel CC | 5 |