SB Sports Injuries Series R7: Oswestry Paragon CC Hilly 19

Hayley Wells finally beat a long-standing female course record as she took a superb third place in the tough as old boots Oswestry Paragon CC Hilly 19, posting a fabulous effort of 46 minutes 37 seconds. The female record dates back to 2018 when Sarah Grant set a benchmark 49:19 in Round 7 of the SB Sports Injuries Series and is another triumph for Wells, who simply goes from strength-to-strength, decimating County records in 2026.

This was Wells’ first trip to the course, which adds a T-shaped leg to the standard club 10 event being run at the same time between Whittington and Ellesmere via Welsh Frankton in both directions; which means that ‘The Brow’ needs to be navigated. This can come as a surprise if unaware, as Wells found out: “A course I’ve never ridden before, and I was not prepared for The Brow climb; a true slog on a time trial bike! A testing course with some fresh patches of tarmac made for an enjoyable evening of racing. I was chuffed to have picked up another course record on some local roads, despite some tired legs from racing a road race the evening before”! Wells added 20 points to her SB Female Series lead and now has a 32 point lead after beating Hafren CC’s Jan Davies who finished runner-up with 54:22 and moved into joint second in the Series as a result.

Tomos Hales took the overall win and moved into the lead of the SB Series as a result after overhauling Chris Riley as he sets out a strong defence as reigning champion. Hales stopped the watch on 41:53, beating Dave Scott Coaching’s Jack Young into the runner-up spot in 43:06 in his first appearance of the Series. This testing course is one Hales has missed, as he revealed: “One of my favourite courses, but I haven’t ridden this one for a few years. I love The Brow climb as you get to do it from both sides; polar opposite climbs with one being a long drag and the return being a sharp rise. I was glad to do it this year, and happy for it finally be on again with fresh tarmac! Thanks Oswestry Paragon for hosting; and to all the marshals out on course”.

Whilst he may now be four points off the pace in the overall SB Series, Paramount’s Riley stretched his lead in the SB Veterans Series with a close battle on the night with Hafren CC’s Mark Hill, with the pair separated by just five seconds both overall and on Veterans Standard as they are the same age. Riley’s +5:25 won the day to extend his Series lead by 20 points from an unfortunate Richard Simpson, and Riley’s post-race comments show that, like Hales, he appreciates the test on offer: “Mark Hill certainly had me on the ropes, and I was lucky to have found five seconds somewhere that made the difference. The Oswestry Paragon Hilly event is one of the gems of the SB Series, and it was blessed with good conditions and a great atmosphere among the riders and organisers – thank you Oswestry Paragon”.

Simpson has interest in both the SB Veterans Series and the SB Road Bike Series, which he leads. He was however unable to add any points for the second round running after being one of the unfortunate riders stopped by a car fire in Round 6, and failing to take the turn in Whittington, leaving Oswestry Paragon’s Adam Riley to take the maximum 20 points on offer in a handicapped 49:08 in his first appearance of the 2026 SB Series. Simpson was kicking himself post-race. As he explained: “I didn’t know the route, so missed the left turn as the marshals didn’t indicate to turn there, I just thought they were there as it was a busy junction. I realised after the event that they weren’t giving directions because the 10 was being run at the same time. A real shame as I was having a blinding ride. Never mind, I’ll know for next time but very frustrating, especially after previously missing out on points by virtue of being on the wrong side of the burning car. Hey ho. you live and learn”!

Full:

Veterans:

Females:

Road Bikes (on handicap):

Cumulative Standings after seven rounds

Overall

Veterans

Females

Road Bike

Juniors