It was a tough day at the office both in terms of the weather and the superb quality of riders on show in Round 3 of the Friction and Hydraulic Services Shropshire Championship Points Series. With Storm Katie hitting the UK fierce winds and cold air sapped the energy of riders in the Mid Shropshire Wheelers’ 25 at Prees, though thankfully predicted rain held off. Despite those tough conditions Matt Davies still put in a superb shift to show just why he is leading the Series as he stretched his lead at the top of the table thanks to making it round the course in 54 minutes 16 seconds. The Rhino Velo rider was thankful for the shelter of Tilstock Village Hall post race commenting: “What a day, windsurfing on a bike followed by Hot Cross Buns and Simnel Cake! It was really hard conditions to ride and settle to a rhythm“.
The exposed Press – Tern Hill – Hodnet course cruelly searched out any weakness in riders battering them around unpredictably thanks to its nature, with many changes of direction meaning predicting where the wind was going to catch next was difficult. This didn’t however make much odds to SCCA Private Member George Evans who was left rueing a leg-sapping ride two days earlier after finishing County runner-up behind Davies by just 18 seconds. He explained: “I raced the Buxton Mountain Time Trial so my legs were tired. I wasn’t putting any pressure on myself and was very pleased with the outcome“.
Davies’ nearest challenger in the Championship is Mid Shropshire Wheeler Victor Chetta who finished 3rd on the day. Reigning Best All Rounder Chetta stopped the watch on 56:23 and saw the gap to Davies open up to 30 points after suffering in the winds. He stated: “A tough day in those brutal crosswinds on the exposed A41, I seemed to putting more effort into stopping myself being blown off the bike rather than putting power through the cranks. It seemed like a completely different course than when I rode the same course in September when there was hardly any wind“.
The Ladies Championship has been a close-run thing so far this season and this race was no different, with Jenny York taking victory by just two seconds. York crossed the line in 1:08:58, an unusually steady time for her demonstrating the chaos caused by the wind to just see off a strong challenge from Pauline Hughes who took the lead in the Ladies’ Championship as a result. York was philosophical about the win stating: “Tough conditions affecting my time, so I was pleased to see the finish board! Close competition this year, I was pleased to just scrape a win“.
Hughes took over the lead of the Ladies Series by just five points with a strong challenge from the rapidly improving Ceris Eslava of 1:10:19 elevating her to runner-up in this Championship.
Despite conditions there were some notable rides amongst the Veterans with Paramount’s Gary Duncan taking the win in this Series with a fabulous +9:17. Duncan saw off the challenge of reigning Veteran’s Champion Andy Hazell by 19 seconds as well and took over from Ludlow Brewery RT rider Steve Minton at the top of the Veteran’s standings after Minton suffered in conditions. Duncan commented: “They were tough conditions but the same for everyone, so happy enough to win the Veterans’ event“. Minton added: “It was hard! Not a day for me, I misjudged my efforts with the severity of the wind“.
Result
Friction and Hydraulic Services Shropshire Championship Points Series – Round 3
| Pos’n | Name | Club | Time | Points |
| 1 | Matt Davies | Rhino Velo Race Team |
54:16 |
60 |
| 2 | George Evans | SCCA Private Member |
54:34 |
55 |
| 3 | Victor Chetta | Mid Shropshire Wheelers |
56:23 |
50 |
| 4 | Kirk Vickers | Rhino Velo Race Team |
57:46 |
45 |
| 5 | Andrew Tamplin | Revolutions Racing |
58:12 |
40 |
| 6 | Simon Ward | Ludlow Brewery RT |
58:14 |
35 |
| 7 | Richard Kay | North Shropshire Wheelers |
58:25 |
30 |
| 8 | Gary Duncan | Paramount CRT |
59:09 |
25 |
| 9 | Stephen Minton | Ludlow Brewery Race Team |
59:32 |
20 |
| 10 | Richard Nickless | Nova Raiders |
59:35 |
15 |
| 11 | Tim Beardmore | Bridgnorth CC |
1:00:06 |
10 |
| 12 | Scott Harris | Nova Raiders |
1:01:39 |
5 |
| 13 | Alex Leek | SCCA Private Member |
1:02:12 |
5 |
| 14 | Ian Hobley | Mid Shropshire Wheelers |
1:02:37 |
5 |
| 15 | James Griffiths | Clee Cycles |
1:02:47 |
5 |
| 16 | Ed Middleton | Nova Raiders |
1:03:02 |
5 |
| 17 | Tim Rex | North Shropshire Wheelers |
1:03:36 |
5 |
| 18 | William Baugh | Ludlow CC |
1:04:01 |
5 |
| 19 | Andy Hazell | Mid Shropshire Wheelers |
1:04:39 |
5 |
| 20 | Mark Harrison | Nova Raiders |
1:04:41 |
5 |
| 21 | Ian Pollard | Nova Raiders |
1:05:15 |
5 |
| 22 | Ian Laverie | Nova Raiders |
1:06:00 |
5 |
| 23 | David Drew | North Shropshire Wheelers |
1:06:13 |
5 |
| 24 | Dave York | Mid Shropshire Wheelers |
1:07:19 |
5 |
| 25 | Nick Pavard | Nova Raiders |
1:08:00 |
5 |
| 26 | Wayne Pryce | Wrekinsport CC |
1:08:09 |
5 |
| 27 | Alistair Hatton | Wrekinsport CC |
1:08:24 |
5 |
| 28 | Jenny York | Mid Shropshire Wheelers |
1:08:58 |
5 |
| 29 | Pauline Hughes | Revolutions Racing |
1:09:00 |
5 |
| 30 | Steve Witty | Evolve |
1:09:05 |
5 |
| 31 | John Robertson | Mid Shropshire Wheelers |
1:09:59 |
5 |
| 32 | Ceris Eslava | Paramount CRT |
1:10:19 |
5 |
| 33 | Steve Chapman | Nova Raiders |
1:11:01 |
5 |
| 34 | Susan Jeffery | Wrekinsport CC |
1:11:13 |
5 |
| 35 | Helen Tudor | Oswestry Paragon CC |
1:13:57 |
5 |
| 36 | Juliet Suddaby | Paramount CRT |
1:15:42 |
5 |
| 37 | Sarah Mawhinney | Mid Shropshire Wheelers |
1:18:46 |
5 |
| 38 | Tracey Billington | Wrekinsport CC |
1:19:24 |
5 |
| 39 | Connor Middleton | Oswestry Paragon CC |
1:23:35 |
5 |
| 40 | Robin Elliot | Oswestry Paragon CC |
1:24:24 |
5 |
| Andrew Rose | Nova Raiders |
DNF |
|
|
| Andy Davies | Paramount CRT |
DNF |
|
|
| Simon Harrison | Mid Shropshire Wheelers |
DNS-A |
|
|
| Craig Howells | Nova Raiders |
DNS-A |
|
|
| Amanda Whitmore | Revolutions Racing |
DNS-A |
|
|
| Jack Wilson | Ludlow Brewery Race Team |
DNS |
|
|
| James Emery | Mid Shropshire Wheelers |
DNS |
|
|
| James Bell | Mid Shropshire Wheelers |
DNS |
|
|
| Les Boughey | North Shropshire Wheelers |
DNS |
|
|
| Adam Roberts | Nova Raiders |
DNS |
|
|
| Jade Chapman | Nova Raiders |
DNS |
|
|
| Andy Maxwell | Nova Raiders |
DNS |
|
|
| David Owen | Nova Raiders |
DNS |
|
|
| Sean Byatt | Revolutions Racing |
DNS |
|
|
| Steve Elcocks | Revolutions Racing |
DNS |
|
Friction and Hydraulic Services Veterans Championship – Round 3
| Vets Pos’n | Name | Club | +/-Vet Std | Vets Points |
| 1 | Gary Duncan | Paramount CRT |
+9:17 |
60 |
| 2 | Andy Hazell | Mid Shropshire Wheelers |
+8:58 |
55 |
| 3 | Simon Ward | Ludlow Brewery RT |
+7:59 |
50 |
| 4 | Richard Kay | North Shropshire Wheelers |
+7:48 |
45 |
| 5 | Stephen Minton | Ludlow Brewery Race Team |
+7:43 |
40 |
| 6 | Richard Nickless | Nova Raiders |
+7:04 |
35 |
| 7 | Tim Beardmore | Bridgnorth CC |
+6:45 |
30 |
| 8 | Jenny York | Mid Shropshire Wheelers |
+6:27 |
25 |
| 9 | Scott Harris | Nova Raiders |
+5:24 |
20 |
| 10 | Pauline Hughes | Revolutions Racing |
+5:09 |
15 |
| 11 | David Drew | North Shropshire Wheelers |
+4:25 |
10 |
| 12 | James Griffiths | Clee Cycles |
+3:52 |
5 |
| 13 | Ian Hobley | Mid Shropshire Wheelers |
+3:49 |
5 |
| =14 | William Baugh | Ludlow CC |
+3:37 |
5 |
| =14 | Ian Pollard | Nova Raiders |
+3:37 |
5 |
| 16 | Dave York | Mid Shropshire Wheelers |
+3:19 |
5 |
| 17 | Ceris Eslava | Paramount CRT |
+3:09 |
5 |
| 18 | Tim Rex | North Shropshire Wheelers |
+3:03 |
5 |
| 19 | Mark Harrison | Nova Raiders |
+1:45 |
5 |
| 20 | Ian Laverie | Nova Raiders |
+1:26 |
5 |
| 21 | John Robertson | Mid Shropshire Wheelers |
+0:39 |
5 |
| 22 | Alistair Hatton | Wrekinsport CC |
+0:28 |
5 |
| 23 | Susan Jeffery | Wrekinsport CC |
+0:15 |
5 |
| 24 | Helen Tudor | Oswestry Paragon CC |
-1:08 |
5 |
| 25 | Steve Witty | Evolve |
-1:27 |
5 |
| 26 | Steve Chapman | Nova Raiders |
-1:56 |
5 |
| 27 | Juliet Suddaby | Paramount CRT |
-2:40 |
5 |
| 28 | Sarah Mawhinney | Mid Shropshire Wheelers |
-4:51 |
5 |
| 29 | Tracey Billington | Wrekinsport CC |
-7:01 |
5 |
| 30 | Robin Elliot | Oswestry Paragon CC |
-15:19 |
5 |
Friction and Hydraulic Services Ladies Championship – Round 3
| Ladies Pos’n | Name | Club | Time | Ladies Points |
| 1 | Jenny York | Mid Shropshire Wheelers |
1:08:58 |
60 |
| 2 | Pauline Hughes | Revolutions Racing |
1:09:00 |
55 |
| 3 | Ceris Eslava | Paramount CRT |
1:10:19 |
50 |
| 4 | Susan Jeffery | Wrekinsport CC |
1:11:13 |
45 |
| 5 | Helen Tudor | Oswestry Paragon CC |
1:13:57 |
40 |
| 6 | Juliet Suddaby | Paramount CRT |
1:15:42 |
35 |
| 7 | Sarah Mawhinney | Mid Shropshire Wheelers |
1:18:46 |
30 |
| 8 | Tracey Billington | Wrekinsport CC |
1:19:24 |
25 |
| Amanda Whitmore | Revolutions Racing |
DNS-A |
|
|
| Jade Chapman | Nova Raiders |
DNS |
|
Top Club Award
| Pos’n | Club | Points |
| 1 | Rhino Velo Race Team |
105 |
| 2 | Mid Shropshire Wheelers |
80 |
| 3 | SCCA Private Member |
60 |
| 4 | Ludlow Brewery Race Team |
55 |
| 5 | Nova Raiders |
50 |
| 6 | Revolutions Racing |
45 |
| 7 | North Shropshire Wheelers |
40 |
| 8 | Paramount CRT |
35 |
| 9 | Wrekinsport CC |
20 |
| 10 | Oswestry Paragon CC |
15 |
| 11 | Bridgnorth CC |
10 |
| =12 | Clee Cycles |
5 |
| =12 | Evolve |
5 |
| =12 | Ludlow CC |
5 |
Cumulative Standings after three rounds
Friction and Hydraulic Services Shropshire Championship Points Series
| Position | Name | Club | Cat | Best 12 |
| 1 | Matt Davies | Rhino Velo RT | S | 175 |
| 2 | Victor Chetta | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | S | 145 |
| 3 | George Evans | SCCA Private Member | S | 115 |
| 4 | Richard Kay | North Shropshire Wheelers | V | 105 |
| 5 | Andrew Tamplin | Revolutions Racing | S | 100 |
| 6 | Stephen Minton | Ludlow Brewery RT | V | 80 |
| 7 | Tim Beardmore | Bridgnorth CC | V | 55 |
| 8 | Jamie Holmes | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | J | 50 |
| =9 | Kirk Vickers | Rhino Velo Race Team | S | 45 |
| =9 | Matt Garthwaite | NewportShropshire CC | S | 45 |
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 | Tim Beardmore | Bridgnorth CC | 125 |
| 4 | Gary Duncan | Paramount CRT | 110 |
| 5 | Andy Hazell | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | 85 |
| 5 | James Griffiths | Clee Cycles | 85 |
| 7 | Richard Nickless | Nova Raiders | 75 |
| =8 | David Drew | North Shropshire Wheelers | 50 |
| =8 | Jenny York | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | 50 |
| =8 | Simon Ward | Ludlow Brewery RT | 50 |
Friction and Hydraulic Services Ladies Championship
| Ladies Pos’n | Name | Club | Best 12 |
| 1 | Pauline Hughes | Revolutions Racing | 155 |
| 2 | Ceris Eslava | Paramount CRT | 150 |
| 3 | Jenny York | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | 120 |
| 4 | Amanda Whitmore | Revolutions Racing | 115 |
| 5 | Tracey Billington | Wrekinsport CC | 90 |
| 6 | Susan Jeffery | Wrekinsport CC | 85 |
| 7 | Helen Tudor | Oswestry Paragon CC | 75 |
| 7 | Jade Chapman | Nova Raiders | 75 |
| 9 | Juliet Suddaby | Paramount CRT | 35 |
| 10 | Sarah Mawhinney | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | 30 |
Friction and Hydraulic Services Junior Championship
| Junior Pos’n | Name | Club | Best 12 |
| 1 | Sam Morris | Revolutions Racing | 110 |
| 2 | Jamie Holmes | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | 60 |
| 3 | Devon Round | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | 55 |
Top Club Award
| Position | Club | Total Points |
| 1 | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | 300 |
| 2 | Rhino Velo RT | 220 |
| 3 | Revolutions Racing | 180 |
| 4 | SCCA Private Members | 170 |
| 5 | Nova Raiders | 140 |
| =6 | North Shropshire Wheelers | 120 |
| =6 | Ludlow Brewery RT | 120 |
| 8 | Wrekinsport CC | 75 |
| 9 | Paramount CRT | 70 |
| 10 | Bridgnorth CC | 55 |
| 11 | NewportShropshire CC | 45 |
| =12 | Clee Cycles | 35 |
| =12 | Ludlow CC | 35 |
| 14 | Oswestry Paragon CC | 20 |
| 15 | Evolve | 10 |
- Round 4 of The Friction and Hydraulic Services Shropshire Championship Points Series takes place on 30th April when Ludlow CC promote the first of two 10 mile events on the fast Brimfield course.