The first Championship event of 2024 saw a new course brought into action as Mid Shropshire Wheelers presented the SB Sports Injuries Shropshire Championship 50, Round 6 of the Friction Hydraulics Series on a glorious sunny morning. Held over two laps of Prees – Battlefield due to continuing Crudgington road works, the rolling nature of the course throws up a challenge with the constant changes of gradient sapping strength over one circuit, let alone two – as a new names get engraved on the 50 mile Trophy, the Jim Heath Trophy and the Women’s 50 mile Trophy. Taking Gold and Veteran’s Gold, Paramount’s Simon Romei took the first two of those trophies with great winning time of 1 hour 54 minutes 33 seconds, over five minutes ahead of the nearest challenge from Hafren CC’s Bryn Davies; whilst beating the same rider by 3:47 in the age-adjusted Veteran’s competition with +21:54.
Romei wasn’t finished there either on a fabulous morning, leading Paramount to Team Gold with help from third placed Rob McGregor and fifth placed Alvydas ‘A.J.’ Janusauskas; putting a huge 240 points on the club’s tally at the head of the Top Club Award – and heading to the top in the Friction Hydraulics Series standings too. He stated: “Really pleased to take the Overall, Veteran and Team Gold wins. I set out to ride the 50 hard knowing that the weather was on our side with very little wind about. Previously doing the 25 I knew where I could really open the taps and make some time up, I had a 1.58 in my head, but to get 1:54:33 made my day. I have to say the organisation from Simon Evans and his team of marshals was first class, a big thanks to all of them taking the time out of their weekend to ensure this race ran smoothly. Paramount also taking Team Gold was another great achievement: me, Rob and A.J. all had great times, and we were all happy with our race performance on the day. To take this win and the points was fantastic, especially as this was A.J.’s first 50 mile race”.
Davies was the Jim Heath Trophy winner in 2017 but had to be content with a brace of Silver medals as he was frustratingly affected by a slowly deflating tyre that caused him to stop at one point, but he still managed to get around at over 25mph average with a fine 1:59:40 actual and +18:07 Veteran’s Standard. Aside from the issues with the tyre Davies’ comments showed how two laps of this testing course demanded respect: “I was pleased with the results. I actually enjoyed the course, having to pace for the longer distance meant holding back where you would normally push, but still pushing enough to keep the pace up, I was aiming to keep enough in the tank for the final return leg. I did have an issue with the tyre, having to put a plug in it the night before the race, it seemed to have held but started leaking, on the first return leg, with sealant spraying everywhere! I stopped on top of the Prees bank on the return from the roundabout to check it out, still plenty of pressure, sounded worse than it was so I kept going, got held up going out again and the tyre started leaking again on the final return. I kept going this time as I knew it was going to be close to get under the two hour mark, and was pleased to make it considering the hold-ups. Some super quick times at the front of the race. Well done to everyone who took part and a big thanks to everyone involved in putting the race on, marshalling and organising”.
Rob McGregor added Overall Bronze to his Team Gold success with a solid effort of 2:04:16 – just edging out an incredible ride by Female winner Hayley Wells by 1:52. McGregor surprised himself on a road many riders seem to struggle on but the Paramount rider took in his stride, commenting: “It was my first race on the A49, and I was pleasantly surprised to get so close to my personal best for a 50. It’s a tough but enjoyable course and I gave it my all on the day – thanks to Mid Shropshire Wheelers for hosting another fantastic event”.
Alvydas Janusauskas went one further, with his 2:07:03 effort his first ever attempt at a 50 and coming away with his first County medal as a result – despite less than ideal preparation for the huge step up in racing distance, as he explained: “Long story short, I did the biggest mistake prior to this ride – a 60 mile hilly route with Paramount the morning before, so my legs was cooking from 30 miles in. Not a result I was hoping for, but I have learned the hardest way. Also, my 60 tooth chairing added extra spice and can’t wait to deliver. The event was great, well organised and smoothly run throughout. We were lucky with the weather – thanks to the team who organise and making it all happen for us”.
Wells’ superb ride saw her take the Women’s 50 Mile Trophy for the first time with a personal best 2:06:08 in a season that is already shaping up to be a memorable one. Pre-planning for the race certainly appeared to have been the order of the day, as she explained: “My plan was to set out at a sensible pace, attack the hills then build across the distance. This worked a dream, picking up a personal best as well as nailing my nutrition strategy. Some quick times clocked on a tough course! Huge thanks to the marshals for the on course support; and to Mid Shropshire Wheelers for organising and ordering beautiful weather conditions”!
Female Silver went to Oswestry Paragon’s Helen Tudor, who recorded 2:31:19, but fell victim to the rolling course which is hard enough once around, as she graphically explained: “A tough course and to do two laps was challenging – struggled as can’t get in a rhythm. A brilliant ride by Hayley she looked really strong; and very well marshalled by Mid Shropshire Wheelers, thanks to all involved”.
The final medal of the morning came as a bit of a shock to Ludlow’s Ian Connolly, who was delighted to take Veteran’s Bronze with +8:56: “Happy and surprised to get Veteran’s Bronze as I rarely trouble the top end of any classification. I struggle on the Battlefield 25 course, so was always going to have a hard morning doing it twice, but I just ground it out – thanks to all involved in putting on another successful event”.
Mark Fenn added a further 70 points to his Road Bike Series lead, for the first time this Series unchallenged, registering an adjusted 2:13:36. He commented: “A perfect morning with great weather on a nice rolling course. I was happy with my ride and how I placed against a strong field”.
SCCA:
| Pos’n | Name | Club | Cat | Time | Points |
| 1 | Simon Romei | Paramount CRT | OV | 1:54:33 | 70 |
| 2 | Bryn Davies | Hafren CC | OV | 1:59:40 | 65 |
| 3 | Robert McGregor | Paramount CRT | O | 2:04:16 | 60 |
| 4 | Hayley Wells | Wrekinsport CC | F | 2:06:08 | 55 |
| 5 | Alvydas Janusauskas | Paramount CRT | O | 2:07:03 | 50 |
| 6 | Ian Connolly | Ludlow CC | OV | 2:11:39 | 45 |
| 7 | Mark Fenn | Shropshire CCA | OV | 2:15:43 | 40 |
| 8 | Neil Wilson | Paramount CRT | OV | 2:25:02 | 35 |
| 9 | Simon Jones | Hafren CC | OV | 2:25:14 | 30 |
| 10 | Colin Wells | Paramount CRT | OV | 2:27:56 | 25 |
| 11 | David Drew | North Shropshire Wheelers | OV | 2:30:43 | 20 |
| 12 | Helen Tudor | Oswestry Paragon CC | FV | 2:31:19 | 15 |
| 13 | Ashley Kirkham | Wrekinsport CC | OV | 2:42:54 | 10 |
| – | Christopher Riley | Paramount CRT | OV | DNS-A | – |
| – | Robert Garbett | Wrekinsport CC | OV | DNS-A | – |
| – | Paul Horton | Bridgnorth Cycling Club | O | DNS | – |
| – | Victor Chetta | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | OV | DNS | – |
Team:
| Paramount CRT (Simon Romei/ Rob McGregor/ Alvydas Janusauskas) | 6:05:52 |
Veterans:
| Vets Pos’n | Name | Club | Cat | Vet +/- | Vets Points |
| 1 | Simon Romei | Paramount CRT | OV | + 21:54 | 70 |
| 2 | Bryn Davies | Hafren CC | OV | + 18:07 | 65 |
| 3 | Ian Connolly | Ludlow CC | OV | + 08:56 | 60 |
| 4 | David Drew | North Shropshire Wheelers | OV | + 01:54 | 55 |
| 5 | Mark Fenn | Shropshire CCA | OV | + 00:44 | 50 |
| 6 | Colin Wells | Paramount CRT | OV | + 00:31 | 45 |
| 7 | Helen Tudor | Oswestry Paragon CC | FV | – 00:08 | 40 |
| 8 | Neil Wilson | Paramount CRT | OV | – 05:04 | 35 |
| 9 | Simon Jones | Hafren CC | OV | – 08:22 | 30 |
| 10 | Ashley Kirkham | Wrekinsport CC | OV | – 26:27 | 25 |
Females:
| Female Pos’n | Name | Club | Cat | Time | Female Points |
| 1 | Hayley Wells | Wrekinsport CC | F | 2:06:08 | 70 |
| 2 | Helen Tudor | Oswestry Paragon CC | FV | 2:31:19 | 65 |
Road Bike:
| RB Pos’n | Name | Club | Cat | RB Adj Time | RB Points |
| 1 | Mark Fenn | Shropshire CCA | OV | 02:13:36 | 70 |
Top Club Award:
| Pos’n | Club | Points |
| 1 | Paramount CRT | 240 |
| 2 | Hafren CC | 95 |
| 3 | Wrekinsport CC | 65 |
| 4 | Ludlow CC | 45 |
| 5 | North Shropshire Wheelers | 20 |
| 6 | Oswestry Paragon CC | 15 |
Cumulative Standings after six rounds
Friction and Hydraulic Services Shropshire Championship Points Series
| Position | Name | Club | Cat | Best 12 |
| 1 | Simon Romei | Paramount CRT | V | 230 |
| =2 | Bryn Davies | Hafren CC | V | 220 |
| =2 | Tomos Hales | Wrekinsport CC | S | 220 |
| 4 | Paul Horton | Bridgnorth Cycling Club | S | 200 |
| 5 | Devon Round | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | S | 160 |
| 6 | Matthew Garthwaite | Newport (Shropshire) CC | S | 155 |
| 7 | Dean Callister | Aerologic RT | S | 120 |
| 8 | Jonathan Mills-Keeling | Aerologic RT | V | 115 |
| 9 | David Griffiths | Oswestry Paragon CC | S | 105 |
| =10 | Hayley Wells | Wrekinsport CC | F | 95 |
| =10 | Robert McGregor | Paramount CRT | S | 95 |
Friction and Hydraulic Services Veterans Championship
| Vets Position | Name | Club | Best 12 |
| 1 | Bryn Davies | Hafren CC | 325 |
| 2 | Simon Romei | Paramount CRT | 300 |
| 3 | Jonathan Mills-Keeling | Aerologic RT | 170 |
| 4 | Christopher Riley | Paramount CRT | 165 |
| 4 | Ian Connolly | Ludlow CC | 165 |
| 6 | Mark Fenn | Shropshire CCA | 155 |
| 7 | Colin Wells | Paramount CRT | 150 |
| 8 | Ashley Kirkham | Wrekinsport CC | 100 |
| 9 | David Drew | North Shropshire Wheelers | 95 |
| 10 | Helen Tudor | Oswestry Paragon CC | 90 |
Friction and Hydraulic Services Female Championship
| Female Pos’n | Name | Club | Best 12 |
| 1 | Hayley Wells | Wrekinsport CC | 250 |
| 2 | Helen Tudor | Oswestry Paragon CC | 180 |
| 3 | Deb Hutson-Lumb | Wrekinsport CC | 55 |
| 3 | Emma Brown | Paramount CRT | 55 |
Friction and Hydraulic Services Road Bike Championship
| Road Bike Pos’n | Name | Club | Cat | Best 12 |
| 1 | Mark Fenn | Shropshire CCA | V | 215 |
| 2 | Ashley Kirkham | Wrekinsport CC | V | 105 |
| =3 | Jonathan Goh | Paramount CRT | V | 60 |
| =3 | Matthew Garthwaite | Newport (Shropshire) CC | S | 60 |
| =3 | Thomas Herbert | Bridgnorth Cycling Club | S | 60 |
| =6 | Chris Childs | Bridgnorth Cycling Club | S | 55 |
| =6 | Paul Bailey | Bridgnorth Cycling Club | V | 55 |
| =6 | Scott Palmer | Aerologic RT | V | 55 |
| 9 | Deb Hutson-Lumb | Wrekinsport CC | FV | 50 |
| 10 | Ian Townsend | Paramount CRT | V | 45 |
Friction and Hydraulic Services Junior Championship
| Junior Pos’n | Name | Club | Best 12 |
| 1 | Ben Southgate | Wrekinsport CC | 120 |
Top Club Award
| Position | Club | Total Points |
| 1 | Paramount CRT | 660 |
| 2 | Wrekinsport CC | 455 |
| 3 | Aerologic RT | 340 |
| 4 | Bridgnorth Cycling Club | 285 |
| 5 | Hafren CC | 255 |
| 6 | Newport (Shropshire) CC | 175 |
| 7 | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | 160 |
| 8 | Oswestry Paragon CC | 130 |
| 9 | Ludlow CC | 65 |
| 10 | North Shropshire Wheelers | 40 |