R4 Mower Mec 2-Up Series: Mid Shropshire Wheelers 10

A gloriously sunny evening’s racing which saw 11 pairs get their racing legs on was tempered by a block northerly headwind that made the longer ‘out’ leg of the Waters Upton – Hodnet 10 testing in Round 4 of the Mower Mec 2-Up Series, Mid Shropshire Wheelers 10 – although riders did get an armchair ride back. The Aerologic RT pairing of Scott Palmer and Jonathan Mills-Keeling took their third maximum 20 points in as many races to close the gap on Series leaders Peter Fletcher and Jack Young to 10 points thanks to their strong 21 minute 12 second effort, perhaps reflective of the condition – not that Palmer seemed to notice: “A decent night yet again which gave us fairly quick conditions, me and Jonathan are getting a bit more fluid now with our changeovers which gave us a winning time – thanks to Mid Shropshire Wheelers and all the volunteers for a well organised race”. Mills-Keeling added: “A great turn out on a lovely summer evening. A great 2-Up with Scott, thanks to Mid Shropshire Wheelers for putting it on”.

After a late Series start the Hafren CC pairing of Mark Hill and Neil Vose are beginning to get into the swing of things. They finished runner-up in 23:16 in their second outing of 2025. For Vose this was a first sight of the flattest 10 mile course in Shropshire and despite conditions he was impressed: “The first time I have done this course and only the second time Mark and myself have done a 2-Up for a number of years. A great course, a tough headwind on the way out to the island and I have to admit that we turned around at the island Mark put the hammer down and I struggled to stay with him. It was so quick coming back and I was pleased with the time and result overall. Ludlow next and another new course for me, though think the weather might be wet”. Hill’s post-race comments echoed Vose’s, but showed that he definitely put the hammer down on the return leg: “A slow start to this year’s 2-Ups, although problems soon faded. A heavy headwind into the first five miles was tough. Coming out of the turn around the roundabout was the chance to open the taps and give it all. We stuck tightly together taking turns to cross the line side by side – – my thanks to Neil as a close partner, and to Mid Shropshire Wheelers for a great night’s fun”.

Series leader Peter Fletcher was left contemplating “What if” after a nightmare start to his race with Oswestry Paragon team mate Jack young which saw the pair eventually finish in third spot on 24:03 and loose two extra points off their lead, potentially one place lower than they should have due to mechanical difficulties, as Fletcher explained: “Where do I start… a puncture 10 minutes prior to lift off, then a shipped chain five yards after we set off – must be my unbridled power! With encouragement from Jack and myself not having a paddy and chucking my bike over the hedge, the chain was eventually released after 1 minute 15-ish and off we went. As a consequence I went far too hard on the way out, but thankfully Jack pulled a little longer turns so I could recuperate, thank goodness as I would have struggled for sure. After the turn, we got on top of ourselves and the efforts and went pretty well home. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved, starters, timekeeper, and marshals; without them giving their valued time for free the ‘fun’ would never happen”.

In the Mixed Team event three teams showed up, including the welcome sight of two female Junior riders, Georgia Lloyd and Flo Parkinson. That didn’t stop Sorrel Williams & Karl Lombardi taking their second win of the Series in 24:56 to extend their Series lead. The nature of the course saw Lombardi take the lead more often, as Williams explained: “Another successful evening, this time with a slightly different strategy to maximise Karl’s strength on the flatter course. It was absolutely brilliant to see some other mixed pairs, especially as they featured Junior females – thanks to all the marshals for keeping us safe”. Lombardi added: “It was good to be back after not attending the last two rounds. The race went pretty well and we stuck with our approach with no major issues, although it felt a bit sluggish going out with the headwind, but welcomed push on the way back. The overall results showed just seconds in it between numerous pairs and shows every second really does count – thanks to the organisers”.

In the female team competition Paramount’s Emma Brown and Liz Hagen made it four wins out of four with a 28:08 effort, and now hold the maximum 80 points available, taking the first medals of the Series as they can no longer be caught with three rounds remaining. Brown commented: “Myself and Liz enjoyed another lovely evening of 2-Up 10 mile racing. It was a hard headwind out and a beautiful tailwind back. Both of us were taking it a bit easier this race as Liz was tapering for her half Ironman distance triathlon Castle to Coast, and I had finished a night shift that morning. But we still decided to come out and race anyway for a bit of fun! Thanks to everyone for organising, it was a great turn out”. Hagen added: “Another fun 10 miles, it was much better on the way back without the headwind! Thanks for a well organised event and another 20 points for the club”.

Full:

Mixed Team:

Female Team:

Cumulative Standings after four rounds

Overall:

Mixed Team:

Female Team: