Riders wilted in the oppressive heat of Round 17 of The Friction Hydraulics Series as Wrekinsport CC presented their 10 mile Open on the Hopton Chapel – Tern Hill course in baking conditions that affected some more than others. Post-race comments showed just how much some riders struggled, as despite scorching conditions which usually produce the fastest times the sheer power of the sun caused some to suffer badly. One rider however seemed to be unaffected as Tomos Hales took his first ever Open win in a great time of 21 minutes 8 seconds. Hales was also happy to win his own club’s event and lead the club to stretching their advantage in the Top Club Award to 215 points as the club home in on their 100^th anniversary target of a first victory in this competition since 2014, but with three rounds to go it is all to play for.

Hales had spent the week racing in the heat and had most likely got used to the change of core operating temperature, and was self-deprecating in his comments: “Very happy with my first ever open win, and made even better that it was hosted by my own club Wrekinsport. It was the hottest conditions I have ever raced in and I think I just suffered less than everyone else. I had raced earlier that week in the heat and maybe I adapted to it. Just who would have thought a ginger would have won in that heat! Thanks for Wrekinsport for it organising, and all the marshals that had to put up with the heat”.

Revolutions Racing’s Dean Callister took the runner-up spot 10 seconds behind Hales in 21:18 and showed graphically how he knew things were not going to be easy just getting the four miles from HQ at Shawbury to the start line: “I’ve never raced in temperatures like that so was unsure how the body would react. I knew I was in trouble when warming up. I faded a lot on the return leg with nothing to give. Well done to Tomos for his first open win”.

Series leader Tim Beardmore also suffered, with what hot air was available in the relatively still conditions affecting his normal power output significantly as he crossed the line in 21:35: “Hottest race I think I’ve ever done, not a particularly pleasant experience. I really struggled with my breathing and it felt like there was no oxygen, consequently my power was well down. I was very happy to finish the race. Well done to Tomos who seemed to be the only rider to cope with the conditions; and thanks to all at Wrekinsport for organising”. Reigning Series Champion Beardmore now holds a 45 point lead over Hales, who finally overtook Beardmore’s Bridgnorth CC team mate into the Silver medal position.

Beardmore now has a lead of 65 points in the Friction Veterans Series from Mills-Keeling after taking the runner-up spot on the day in +5:16. But there was no stopping Deb Hutson-Lumb as she took victory in +6:28 as well as the win in the Friction Women’s Series with a fine ride of 23:40. However she showed the effect the temperature had on racing at speed in her post-race comments: “I’ve never raced in those temperatures before or sat up for a drink on a 10. My heart rate was through the roof before the turn. I was glad to finish and drip my way back to HQ - kudos to everyone who raced, and massive thanks to marshals standing out in the baking heat”.

Friction and Hydraulic Services Shropshire Championship Points Series – Round 17

Posn	Name	Club	Cat	Time	Points
1	Tomos Hales	Wrekinsport CC	S	21:08	60
2	Dean Callister	Revolutions Racing	S	21:18	55
3	Tim Beardmore	Bridgnorth Cycling Club	V	21:35	50
4	David Griffiths	Holohan Coaching Race Team	S	21:48	45
5	Jonathan Mills-Keeling	Bridgnorth Cycling Club	V	22:37	40
6	Oliver Rodwell	Wrekinsport CC	V	22:54	35
7	Andrew Rose	Revolutions Racing	V	22:56	30
8	Graeme Donnell	Revolutions Racing	V	23:14	25
9	Adam Mumford	Wrekinsport CC	S	23:31	20
10	Deb Hutson-Lumb	Wrekinsport CC	WV	23:40	15
11	Ian Connolly	Ludlow CC	V	24:17	10
12	Andrew Lacon	Revolutions Racing	S	24:19	5
13	Daniel Ramsbottom	SCCA Private Member	S	24:22	5
14	Richard Howes	Wrekinsport CC	V	24:27	5
15	Rich Smith	Wrekinsport CC	V	24:35	5
16	Allan Henderson	Wrekinsport CC	S	24:42	5
17	Ben Wood	Wrekinsport CC	S	24:44	5
18	Mark Griffiths	Wrekinsport CC	V	25:38	5
19	Paul Mulready	Bridgnorth Cycling Club	V	25:51	5
20	Simon Jones	Hafren CC	V	26:47	5
21	Les Boughey	North Shropshire Wheelers	V	26:48	5
22	Helen Tudor	Oswestry Paragon CC	WV	27:01	5
23	Dave Poulter	Wrekinsport CC	V	28:07	5
24	Dave Moore	Wrekinsport CC	V	28:18	5
25	Victoria Doran	Wrekinsport CC	WV	28:59	5
26	Helen Blake	Wrekinsport CC	W	30:03	5
27	Robert Elliott	Wrekinsport CC	V	31:20	5
28	Stuart Wortley	Wrekinsport CC	V	31:36	5
29	James Percival	Wrekinsport CC	V	31:55	5
30	Clare O'Donnell	Wrekinsport CC	WV	39:15	5
.	Ronald Perks	Wrekinsport CC	V	DNF	.
.	Geoff Edgerton	North Shropshire Wheelers	V	DNS-A	.
.	James Neale	North Shropshire Wheelers	V	DNS-A	.
.	Linda Beckett	North Shropshire Wheelers	V	DNS	.
.	Peter Escritt	Nova Raiders CC	V	DNS	.