R7 Mower Mec 2-Up Series: Wrekinsport CC 2-Up 10 #2

There was a late transfer of course and promoter to conclude the Mower Mec 2-Up Series for 2026 following cancellation of the planned Ludlow CC event due to traffic lights on their course marking a collapsed drain. With daylight running out to run evening events, Round 7 was instead unusually tagged onto the final Wrekinsport CC 10 of the year, which already had a 2-Up category applied for, just for club purposes originally.

With six pairs of medals unresolved going into the delayed Series conclusion riders got a second chance to race on the already popular ‘Frying Pan’ 10 – although the second half of the event suffered from a deluge after commencing in reasonable conditions. Just as in Round 6, the Wrekinsport pairing of Oli Freeman and Ben Wood took the win; although the inclement conditions, traffic hold-ups and having to race on road bikes saw them cross the line in 22 minutes 39 seconds, a significant 1:03 down on their Round 6 effort.

Freeman expressed shock at the win given his time trial bike was out of commission for good reason, as he explained: “The final club event of the season turned into a second opportunity to ride a 2-Up with Ben in the Mower Mec Series, and a surprising second win. With my time trial bike being serviced ahead of Ironman Wales, we rode this one on road bikes. It was a race which started in summer conditions and finished more in autumnal rain, but that didn’t stop us from having some fun. Thanks to Ben for being a great partner this season, and to all of the organisers involved in putting this Series on; I’m looking forward to entering a few more next season”.

Wood and Freeman have paired up regularly in club 2-Ups, but now have a strong indication that they could tip their hats at the 2027 Series and be competitive, with Wood adding: “It was great to ride with Oli on the Frying Pan course again, although on road bikes this time. We were delighted to get our second win of the season, despite encountering some traffic and inclement conditions in the second half of our run. Over the season we have really learned each others strengths and weaknesses to put together some good results, and hopefully we’ll be able to do some more together next season. Thank you to marshals and timekeepers for volunteering and allowing us to race”.

Things did not go completely right however for Karl Lombardi and Peter Fletcher despite finishing as runners-up on the night in 25:11. The pairing were the first medal winners on the evening, capturing overall Mower Mec Silvers; but as Lombardi explained, and in-race mechanical issue could have spoilt their first go on the course, but was thankfully overcome without loss of position or points: “Our last 2-Up of the Series was quite eventful. Driving to the HQ, I could see large thunder clouds forming, and was eager to get started before we had another wash-out. The race started, and it became immediately apparent Pete was having a mechanical issue that he couldn’t shake off: his rear brake was binding badly, and we averaged only 15mph for the first four minutes. We eventually pulled over, and Pete was able to fix the issue; and off we went at pace to play catch-up. We pushed hard, taking one minute turns where we could while luckily avoiding a few busy traffic obstacles. With three miles to go it finally started to rain, but it wasn’t too heavy; although we were wet we got the job done just in-time. It was my first time on the ‘Frying Pan’ course, and I really enjoyed it. I’m really stoked to be second overall in the Series with Pete and enjoyed his guidance, company and importantly, laughs. Thanks again to the organisers keeping this exciting event live and for their hard work. I hope to be back next year”!

Fletcher added: “The final 2-Up of the year started off ‘differently’. Karl and I rode with the usual game plan, but we were hamstrung for the first four minutes or so by my mechanical, eventually stopping to sort it out – and then the chase was on to catch up the time lost! It was the first time on this course for both of us and it was an enjoyable evening, barring the obvious! It feels good to finish the year in second place again, and I’d like to thank all of the organising clubs, marshals, time keepers and participants for making every round a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. Lets all hope 2027 is as pleasing as 2026”!

It was a close call for third spot as Wrekinsport Chairman Dave Moore teamed up with Dave Seager to grab the final podium spot by 11 seconds from Mower Mec Series Champion Chris Riley and one-off partner Colin Wells; crossing the line in 25:45. Moore is recovering from breaking his thumb earlier in the year, and has had to have some time away from the bike; but enjoys the team formats so much that he wants to add an extra round into the Mower Mec Series for 2027: “Along with 4-Up time trials the 2-Up Series is amazing fun. I’m very happy to race with Dave, he’s rock steady and we work well together. Hopefully Wrekinsport can put on a second event next season”. That change has already been added to an early provisional programme – and planning to take advantage of a different course.

Seager also commented on how closely matched the pair is, adding: “Really pleased to be riding alongside Mr Chairman; we ride well together and are quite evenly matched in power, even though he was still recovering from one of his numerous offs. I’m already looking forward to riding with him again next season and see what we can do”!

The Mower Mec Female Series was captured by a first-time pairing of Jane Morris and Jo Evans, pushing out Sophie Edge and Thea Osmund-Smith into the Silver medal position. The Market Drayton CC pairing were very competitive, racing five out of seven rounds, including two in miserable weather, so the prize is well deserved. They crossed the line in 27:08 on the night, with Morris delighted with their success, commenting: “What began as an experiment has given us a new challenge, plenty of laughs and a couple of very wet rides! To come away with a Gold Medal was certainly not something we expected when we turned up for our first round, and made the whole experience even more rewarding. We’re hoping to be back next year, and perhaps try some other events too. We’ll also be encouraging more of our fellow Market Drayton CC members to give the Series a go. A huge thank you to everyone who gives their time to organise, marshal and support the Series; it’s clear how much work goes on behind the scenes to make these events happen, and it’s very much appreciated”.

Evans took Female Silver in 2025, and was pleased to go one better in 2026, adding: “It’s been brilliant having a go at something completely different. There have definitely been a few moments where I’ve wondered why we signed up; especially in the rain! But meeting new riders, the support and finishing with a Gold Medal have made it all worthwhile. I’d definitely do it again; and a huge thank you to all the organisers, marshals and helpers who give up their time to make the series happen”.

In the Mixed Team Championship the father and daughter team of Mark Parkinson and Flo Parkinson endured a through soaking, being off at the rear of the field, with visibility significantly reduced by the rain bouncing off the road. Their 31:13 finish saw them take Mixed Team Silver, and consign Stuart Proctor and Claire Blackwell-Smyth to the Bronze medal position. The pair gave a joint comment post-race, stating: “Whilst we looking forward to the Ludlow course, the reschedule meant we were super excited to have another crack at the Frying Pan 10 course and we had a game plan all ready based on our previous recent outing. However, with the rain starting on the line, we had to consider that one of us was on rim brakes and the other had greater stopping power with disc brakes, so we put the rim bike up front which meant we couldn’t share the wind/load as much as we hoped, although switched out for the last draggy segment to the finish line. The pain was soon forgotten as the Mixed Team win meant we had a soggy but jubilant journey home with the desired result in the bag! The Silver medal win for the Series meant a lot to us as we made a pledge at the SCCA Awards last year when we took Bronze that we aimed to go one better in 2026! The 2-Up Series is a great way for us to enjoy the sport together, but give us a few more seasons of riding together and we will ready to mount our challenge to have a pop at the Gold medal”!

That left two pairs of riders not in competition on the evening to be surprised when told they had ended up with medals. Husband and wife Mitchell and Evie Fletcher had already won Mixed Team Gold, but added Overall Bronze to their haul in a first season riding together competitively. Mitchell commented: “After securing the Mixed Team Gold, me and Evie are very happy to have secured the Bronze medal overall in the Mower Mec Series. With this being our first 2-Up Series together, we feel this is an excellent achievement, and have come away with some amazing silverware. It’s nice to see that all the training together has translated into the strength we have as a pairing, as well as the confidence to tackle this Series at speed! Thank you again to everyone who made the events possible”!

Evie added: “To hear we have secured the overall Bronze, alongside the Mixed Team Gold, is amazing! To get two pieces of silverware from this one Series is more than I could have asked for. To ride this Series with Mitch has been fun, and we look forward to doing it again in the future. Thank you to everyone for making it possible, and I look forward to doing it all again”.

That left the Mixed Team Bronze to go to Stuart Proctor and Claire Blackwell-Smyth, whose scheduling meant limited chance to race, as Proctor explained: “Having only managed to get in a couple of rounds in the Mower Mec 2-Up Series, it’s been limited but great fun taking part; and great to take the Mixed Team Bronze with Claire! The variety of the teams is always great to see, and keeps you on your toes, not quite knowing what to expect from each race! Hopefully we will manage to get along to a few more next year”.

Blackwell-Smyth is the reigning Female BBR Hill Climb Champion, but not usually seen on flatter territory, as she explained: “This is my first year of any kind of time trial, and I’m delighted to get Bronze. Thank you to all the organisers. Stu definitely deserves all the credit though for dragging me around. Next year I promise to take a turn”!

Full:

Mixed Team:

Female Team:

Final Cumulative Standings after seven rounds

Overall

Mixed Team