The Course Record went in the Ludlow CC 10 at Brimfield with Matt Davies shaving two seconds off Andy Bason’s long-standing mark. Davies flew around the course in 19 minutes 56 seconds in Round 4 of the Friction Hydraulics Series – and led his new team home to a superb 1-2-3 as well. The Rhino Velo rider extended his lead at the top of the Series and looked ominous despite slippery roads caused by a hail that affected early starters. He commented: “Once I’d got over nearly hitting the deck twice in the first two kilometres it went well. I’m so happy with the win, hitting a seasons target of sub-20 minutes on the first outing. A huge Rhino Velo win and the Course Record only made it all the sweeter. What a day – so many good things in only one 20 minutes race“.
Davies was backed up by Matt Garthwaite and Kirk Vickers to make up that County 1-2-3 with both riders putting in excellent efforts – with Garthwaite stopping the watch on 20:49 to take the runner-up spot on a new bike. He explained: “I finally took the plunge and bought a time trial bike after everyone said it would make a massive difference. They weren’t wrong as I improved my Personal Best by nearly one and a half minutes. Just as pleased with the team result though with a 1-2-3“! Meanwhile Vickers wasn’t far off the pace to snaffle third spot with a superb 21:05, adding: “It was my first time on the course. Quite a windy day out there but I battled through. Pleased with position, time and team result“!
There was a familiar name at the top of the Veterans standings with Andy Hazell closing up the gap at the top with a sterling ride of +5:23, beating Mid Shropshire Wheelers team mate Craig Ball by 36 seconds. Hazell is the reigning Veterans Champion and does not appear to be in any mood to let that title slip, closing to within 15 points of Steve Minton despite a late start to his season. He commented: “There were some great rides done on what I thought was a tough day! But I was really pleased with the Veterans win“.
In the Ladies Championship Pauline Hughes endured a liberal soaking as she flew down Brimfield bank but really put the power down with a great ride of 25:30, seeing off nearest challenger Jenny York by 33 seconds. A delighted Hughes stretched her Ladies Series lead to 40 points thanks to this ride and stated: “I was over the moon with a win especially as conditions cold and wet at start. A massive thanks to timekeepers and marshals who did great job – particularly at Wooferton crossroads“.
With four Juniors in competition it was another Mid Shropshire Wheeler, Devon Round who took home the spoils. Despite finishing fifth County rider in 21:48 was however not pleased with his efforts after narrowing the gap to Junior series leader Sam Morris who finished in the runner-up spot in 22:34 – a ride good enough for 9th County spot. Round commented: “I was a bit disappointed with my ride, but happy to take the Junior win on one of my favourite courses“.
With the massive points haul for finishing in the top three places Rhino Velo added 165 points to their Top Club Award tally – and lopped 60 points off Mid Shropshire Wheelers’ lead. This closed the gap to just 20 points in the club Championship in what is shaping up to be a fine tussle.
Result
Friction and Hydraulic Services Shropshire Championship Points Series – Round 4
| Pos’n | Forename | Surname | Club | Time | Points |
| 1 | Matthew | Davies | Rhino Velo Race Team | 19:56 | 60 |
| 2 | Matthew | Garthwaite | Rhino Velo Race Team | 20:49 | 55 |
| 3 | Kirk | Vickers | Rhino Velo Race Team | 21:05 | 50 |
| 4 | Craig | Ball | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | 21:31 | 45 |
| 5 | Devon | Round | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | 21:48 | 40 |
| 6 | Andrew | Tamplin | Revolutions Racing | 22:03 | 35 |
| 7 | Scott | Harris | Nova Raiders | 22:18 | 30 |
| 8 | Gary | Walters | Ludlow Brewery Race Team | 22:33 | 25 |
| 9 | Sam | Morris | Revolutions Racing | 22:34 | 20 |
| 10 | Andrew | Rose | Nova Raiders | 22:39 | 15 |
| 11 | Jake | Sparrow | Ludlow Brewery Race Team | 22:40 | 10 |
| 12 | Ed | Middleton | Nova Raiders | 22:48 | 5 |
| 13 | James | Griffiths | Clee Cycles | 22:51 | 5 |
| 14 | Rob | Kennard | Revolutions Racing | 22:59 | 5 |
| 15 | Fraser | MacKinnon | Wrekinsport CC | 23:10 | 5 |
| 16 | William | Baugh | Ludlow CC | 23:11 | 5 |
| 17 | William | Coley | Ludlow Brewery Race Team | 23:14 | 5 |
| 18 | Andy | Hazell | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | 23:29 | 5 |
| =19 | Jack | Wilson | Ludlow Brewery Race Team | 23:31 | 5 |
| =19 | Jonathan | Smith | Nova Raiders | 23:31 | 5 |
| 21 | Delwyn | Jones | Wrekinsport CC | 23:39 | 5 |
| 22 | Clancy | Wilson | Ludlow CC | 23:56 | 5 |
| 23 | David | Drew | North Shropshire Wheelers | 24:07 | 5 |
| 24 | Richard | Smith | Wrekinsport CC | 24:11 | 5 |
| 25 | Steve | Elcocks | Revolutions Racing | 24:16 | 5 |
| 26 | Paul | Lewis | Ludlow CC | 24:18 | 5 |
| 27 | Chris | Williams | Ludlow CC | 24:28 | 5 |
| 28 | Daniel | Lamsdell | Revolutions Racing | 24:30 | 5 |
| 29 | Dave | Poulter | Wrekinsport CC | 24:49 | 5 |
| 30 | Dover | Disney | Ludlow CC | 24:51 | 5 |
| 31 | John | Robertson | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | 25:19 | 5 |
| 32 | Pauline | Hughes | Revolutions Racing | 25:30 | 5 |
| 33 | Dave | York | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | 25:34 | 5 |
| 34 | William | Hints | Ludlow CC | 25:42 | 5 |
| 35 | Robin | Shedden | Wrekinsport CC | 25:56 | 5 |
| 36 | Jenny | York | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | 26:03 | 5 |
| 37 | Matthew | Tilson | Ludlow CC | 26:09 | 5 |
| 38 | Jon | Airey | Ludlow CC | 26:11 | 5 |
| 39 | Susan | Jeffery | Wrekinsport CC | 26:31 | 5 |
| 40 | Emma | Robinson | Wrekinsport CC | 26:37 | 5 |
| 41 | Amanda | Witty | Wrekinsport CC | 26:38 | 5 |
| 42 | Tracey | Billington | Wrekinsport CC | 28:38 | 5 |
| Damian | Platek | Revolutions Racing | DNF | ||
| Victoria | Minton | Ludlow Brewery Race Team | DNS-A | ||
| Richard | Nickless | Nova Raiders | DNS-A | ||
| Wayne | Pryce | Wrekinsport CC | DNS |
Friction and Hydraulic Services Veterans Championship – Round 4
| Vets Pos’n | Forename | Surname | Club | Vet Std +/- | Vets Points |
| 1 | Andy | Hazell | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | +5:23 | 60 |
| 2 | Craig | Ball | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | +4:47 | 55 |
| 3 | Scott | Harris | Nova Raiders | +4:05 | 50 |
| 4 | Andrew | Rose | Nova Raiders | +3:57 | 45 |
| 5 | Andrew | Tamplin | Revolutions Racing | +3:56 | 40 |
| 6 | Rob | Kennard | Revolutions Racing | +3:51 | 35 |
| 7 | Gary | Walters | Ludlow Brewery Race Team | +3:45 | 30 |
| 8 | Pauline | Hughes | Revolutions Racing | +3:39 | 25 |
| 9 | David | Drew | North Shropshire Wheelers | +3:37 | 20 |
| 10 | Jenny | York | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | +3:35 | 15 |
| 11 | William | Baugh | Ludlow CC | +3:25 | 10 |
| 12 | James | Griffiths | Clee Cycles | +3:22 | 5 |
| 13 | William | Coley | Ludlow Brewery Race Team | +3:13 | 5 |
| 14 | Jonathan | Smith | Nova Raiders | +3:10 | 5 |
| =15 | Fraser | MacKinnon | Wrekinsport CC | +3:08 | 5 |
| =15 | Clancy | Wilson | Ludlow CC | +3:08 | 5 |
| 17 | Delwyn | Jones | Wrekinsport CC | +2:53 | 5 |
| 18 | Dover | Disney | Ludlow CC | +2:47 | 5 |
| 19 | Steve | Elcocks | Revolutions Racing | +2:34 | 5 |
| 20 | Dave | Poulter | Wrekinsport CC | +2:31 | 5 |
| 21 | Richard | Smith | Wrekinsport CC | +2:30 | 5 |
| 22 | Chris | Williams | Ludlow CC | +2:26 | 5 |
| 23 | John | Robertson | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | +2:25 | 5 |
| 24 | Dave | York | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | +2:10 | 5 |
| 25 | Jon | Airey | Ludlow CC | +1:48 | 5 |
| 26 | Amanda | Witty | Wrekinsport CC | +1:46 | 5 |
| 27 | Susan | Jeffery | Wrekinsport CC | +1:37 | 5 |
| 28 | Robin | Shedden | Wrekinsport CC | +1:13 | 5 |
| 29 | Tracey | Billington | Wrekinsport CC | -0:09 | 5 |
Friction and Hydraulic Services Ladies Championship – Round 4
| Ladies Pos’n | Forename | Surname | Club | Time | Ladies Points |
| 1 | Pauline | Hughes | Revolutions Racing | 25:30 | 60 |
| 2 | Jenny | York | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | 26:03 | 55 |
| 3 | Susan | Jeffery | Wrekinsport CC | 26:31 | 50 |
| 4 | Emma | Robinson | Wrekinsport CC | 26:37 | 45 |
| 5 | Amanda | Witty | Wrekinsport CC | 26:38 | 40 |
| 6 | Tracey | Billington | Wrekinsport CC | 28:38 | 35 |
| Victoria | Minton | Ludlow Brewery Race Team | DNS-A |
Friction and Hydraulic Services Junior Championship – Round 4
| Junior Pos’n | Forename | Surname | Club | Time | Junior Points |
| 1 | Devon | Round | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | 21:48 | 60 |
| 2 | Sam | Morris | Revolutions Racing | 22:34 | 55 |
| 3 | William | Hints | Ludlow CC | 25:42 | 50 |
| 4 | Matthew | Tilson | Ludlow CC | 26:09 | 45 |
Top Club Award
| Position | Club | Points |
| 1 | Rhino Velo Race Team |
165 |
| 2 | Mid Shropshire Wheelers |
105 |
| 3 | Revolutions Racing |
75 |
| 4 | Nova Raiders |
55 |
| =5 | Wrekinsport CC |
45 |
| =5 | Ludlow Brewery Race Team |
45 |
| 7 | Ludlow CC |
40 |
| =8 | North Shropshire Wheelers |
5 |
| =8 | Clee Cycles |
5 |
Cumulative Standings after four rounds
Friction and Hydraulic Services Shropshire Championship Points Series
| Position | Name | Club | Cat | Best 12 |
| 1 | Matt Davies | Rhino Velo RT | S | 235 |
| 2 | Victor Chetta | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | S | 145 |
| 3 | Andrew Tamplin | Revolutions Racing | S | 135 |
| 4 | George Evans | SCCA Private Member | S | 115 |
| 5 | Richard Kay | North Shropshire Wheelers | V | 105 |
| 6 | Matt Garthwaite | Rhino Velo RT | S | 100 |
| 7 | Kirk Vickers | Rhino Velo RT | S | 95 |
| 8 | Stephen Minton | Ludlow Brewery RT | V | 80 |
| 9 | Devon Round | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | J | 75 |
| =10 | Sam Morris | Revolutions Racing | J | 55 |
| =10 | Tim Beardmore | Bridgnorth CC | V | 55 |
Friction and Hydraulic Services Veterans Championship
| Vets Pos’n | Name | Club | Best 12 |
| 1 | Stephen Minton | Ludlow Brewery RT | 160 |
| 2 | Richard Kay | North Shropshire Wheelers | 155 |
| 3 | Andy Hazell | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | 145 |
| 4 | Tim Beardmore | Bridgnorth CC | 125 |
| 5 | Gary Duncan | Paramount CRT | 110 |
| 6 | James Griffiths | Clee Cycles | 90 |
| 7 | Richard Nickless | Nova Raiders | 75 |
| =8 | David Drew | North Shropshire Wheelers | 70 |
| =8 | Scott Harris | Nova Raiders | 70 |
| =10 | Andrew Rose | Nova Raiders | 65 |
| =10 | Jenny York | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | 65 |
| =10 | Pauline Hughes | Revolutions Racing | 65 |
Friction and Hydraulic Services Ladies Championship
| Ladies Pos’n | Name | Club | Best 12 |
| 1 | Pauline Hughes | Revolutions Racing | 215 |
| 2 | Jenny York | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | 175 |
| 3 | Ceris Eslava | Paramount CRT | 150 |
| 4 | Susan Jeffery | Wrekinsport CC | 135 |
| 5 | Tracey Billington | Wrekinsport CC | 125 |
| 6 | Amanda Whitmore | Revolutions Racing | 115 |
| =7 | Helen Tudor | Oswestry Paragon CC | 75 |
| =7 | Jade Chapman | Nova Raiders | 75 |
| 9 | Emma Robinson | Wrekinsport CC | 45 |
| 10 | Amanda Witty | Wrekinsport CC | 40 |
Friction and Hydraulic Services Junior Championship
| Junior Pos’n | Name | Club | Best 12 |
| 1 | Sam Morris | Revolutions Racing | 165 |
| 2 | Devon Round | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | 115 |
| 3 | Jamie Holmes | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | 60 |
| 4 | William Hints | Ludlow CC | 50 |
| 5 | Matthew Tilson | Ludlow CC | 45 |
Top Club Award
| Position | Club | Total Points |
| 1 | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | 405 |
| 2 | Rhino Velo RT | 385 |
| 3 | Revolutions Racing | 255 |
| 4 | Nova Raiders | 195 |
| 5 | SCCA Private Members | 170 |
| 6 | Ludlow Brewery RT | 165 |
| 7 | North Shropshire Wheelers | 125 |
| 8 | Wrekinsport CC | 120 |
| 9 | Ludlow CC | 75 |
| 10 | Paramount CRT | 70 |
| 11 | Bridgnorth CC | 55 |
| 12 | NewportShropshire CC | 45 |
| 13 | Clee Cycles | 40 |
| 14 | Oswestry Paragon CC | 20 |
| 15 | Evolve | 10 |