R5 Friction Hydraulics Series: Bridgnorth CC Hilly 21

Aerologic RT took the Top 3 places in Round 5 of the Friction Hydraulics Series as Bridgnorth CC presented their Hilly 21 mile tester on a rare glorious, sunny and still afternoon: perfect conditions for great times, as both the Overall and Female course records were smashed. Held on the Bridgnorth –Much Wenlock – Shipton – Morville circuit, this event is a real test for riders with the 17% climb out of Much Wenlock and a switchback of a road to contend with requiring inner reserves of strength to come to the fore. Won overall by rarely seen Royal Air Force Cycling Association’s Luke Pollard in a fantastic time of 45 minutes 35 seconds, this sliced 3:01 off Tomos Hales’ 2024 benchmark; whilst Hayley Wells cut 3:30 off her own record set in the same year, the last time this event was run.  

Hales lead Aerologic home with a fine effort of 48:20, taking 16 seconds off his 2024 effort, but despite improving he could only marvel at Pollard’s performance: “I’d forgotten just how hard that Bourton climb was out of Much Wenlock. The fast warm conditions may have got me carried away, and I didn’t save enough for the bank. However I still came away with a course personal best. It was an awesome time by Luke, and good to see him. Thanks to Bridgnorth for hosting, and also good to see Tim Beardmore who does a great job organising”.

Hales extended his Friction Series lead on the strength of this ride to 20 points over Hayley Wells, who is on a simply tremendous run of form. Finishing third County rider in 51:58, she extended her runner-up spot in this Championship over Chris Riley to 25 points after Riley finished 5^th in 53:11 behind Paul Edwards of Wrekinsport in 52:25. Wells knew that the Bourton climb would be a game changer and kept something in reserve to tackle it: “A warm afternoon which was very welcomed. Knowing how tough the climb out of Much Wenlock was I wanted to build into the race. I felt good and found some rhythm navigating along the lumpy Bourton Road; then Luke came flying past like I was standing still – incredible! Heading into the last section of the course I had enough steam to finish strong and just get under the 52 minute mark – many thanks to Bridgnorth CC for a great afternoon of racing”.

Taking the County runner-up spot was Mark Pritchard, who moved into the Top 10 standings on the strength of his 51:20 performance; exactly three minutes behind Hales. Pritchard did not, however, have the best pre-race preparation, as he explained: “I was happy with my County second place, but had a rough night at work the previous night, so I struggled really to get around and put any power out, especially that climb out of Much Wenlock. Nice weather and course, and cheers to Tim and the marshals for putting it on”.

Riley didn’t go home empty-handed after extending his lead in the Friction Veterans Series over Stuart Proctor with a fine +4:57 to Proctor’s +3:50. Paramount’s Riley now has a 60 point advantage over Dave Scott Coaching rider Proctor, but unlike Wells nearly came to grief on the Bourton climb after getting carried away with what he described as “The finest conditions ever”: “Fantastic conditions for this unique course. I had one of those days where I forgot myself and ground to a halt on the steep climb after The Gaskell Arms. It’s worse when all the big hitters are effortlessly gliding by. A great run for home; and certainly one of my favourite Shropshire events – thanks Tim and Bridgnorth CC”.

Proctor didn’t go home empty-handed either as he stretched his Friction Road Bike Series lead to 90 points over Jon Goh with another fine win in a handicapped 51:25, 4:54 ahead of Mark Fenn. Proctor’s thoughts went back to 2017, the last time he rode this testing event and finished in 52:48. This time he was a little slower at 54:51 for County 7^th, but was still pleased in his comeback season: “Another lumpy course I’d had experience on, albeit some nine years ago, I seem to remember the surface to Much Wenlock was a lot rougher back then! Fabulous day for the race, although those hills entering and leaving Much Wenlock really do test you after a fast start, I was glad to get on the rolling top section and back along the Monkhampton road. More than happy to beat my target time of 55 minutes too. Great to see organiser Tim Beardmore doing well too, it’s been a while”.

SCCA:

Veterans:

Females:

Road Bikes (on handicap):

Top Club Award:

Cumulative Standing after five rounds

Overall

Veterans

Females

Road Bikes

Top Club Award