R9 SB Sports Injuries Series: North Shropshire Wheelers Battlefield 25

After being almost a fixture due to long term road works, Tomos Hales took the second and final chance to race the Battlefield course in 2026 and came away with a win to narrow the gap to 14 points off the pace in the 9^th round of the SB Sports Injuries Series, North Shropshire Wheelers’ 25. Hales recorded 55 minutes exactly on a tough evening as riders not only competed against the rolling terrain, but against soaring temperatures that simply saps the energy.

Hales was the only rider to beat the hour, and having missed the Mid Shropshire wheelers’ Open 25 in April wasn’t going to miss out on a course that plays to his strengths. He commented: “I couldn’t miss out on doing the Battlefield course after missing the one earlier in the year. Hot temperatures made it a difficult race. I decide to attack the hills and recover in between. This worked well, and I was happy with my time. The highlight was the soaking of water I received at the turnaround at the Battlefield island! The event was well run by North Shropshire Wheelers, and thanks for putting it on”.

Chris Riley still holds on to the double of Overall and Veteran’s SB Series leads after taking the runner-up spot overall in 1:01:44, and the Veteran’s win in +8:04 – in each case ahead of Richard Simpson. Riley is having a stellar season and is targeting all Series in a scattergun approach; with this the middle of three races in three days; but that strategy appears to be taking its toll somewhat, as he explained: “A long hot evening on ‘Route 66’. It was another lovely race from North Shropshire Wheelers, and a great atmosphere among the riders. I haven’t been so slow on Battlefield before, but it was to some degree a tactical pace in a bid to save some watts for the following evening’s race. I do always get a good result in the North Shropshire Wheelers events; maybe I should join them next year – thanks everyone”. Despite a 14 point advantage in the Overall standings Riley holds a much more comfortable 82 point lead in the Veterans, again over Simpson.

Despite being a North Shropshire Wheelers member Simpson bizarrely had previously missed out on a course on his doorstep having been given a cautionary tale – for every rider like Hales who enjoys the challenge there are probably five others who prefer flatter territory, with the course like a switchback. Simpson is chasing the SB Road Bike title however, and needed points on the board after failing to score in Rounds 6 and 7. His actual time of 1:04:03 gave him third place overall, and when converted on age-related handicap to 59:34 saw him take the win in the Road Bike category and the bonus 26 points awarded for longer distances in this Series. He now has an 84 point advantage, also taking runner-up spot in the Veterans with +6:26 for a good evening’s endeavour. He stated:  “Another course I hadn’t ridden before and, despite some misgivings about it from a former rider which probably made me err on the side of caution slightly with regard to pacing, I really enjoyed it. I was very pleased with my performance and taking the Road Bike win. Thank you to all my club mates at North Shropshire Wheelers for making it happen; despite a clash with the football”.

Another North Shropshire Wheeler took the win in the SB Female Series as Kathryn Rossiter registered 1:12:50 to see off the attentions of club mate Ellie Langley, who finished in 1:19:16. Rossiter’s comments showed the wearing down effect this course can have, but was pleased to come away with a course personal best: “On yet another super hot evening the light headwind on the longer return leg meant that the Battlefield course lived up to its reputation as a bit of a battle! I was really pleased to get a course personal best as well as being first lady home. Many thanks to Phil and Marion Guy for marshalling the roundabout and spraying the riders with cooling water – it really helped”!

Full:

Veterans:

Females:

Road Bikes (on handicap):

Cumulative Standings after nine rounds

Overall

Veterans

Females

Road Bike

Juniors