Hostilities were suspended as the top two riders in the Denso and Tern Cycles Evening 10 Series by Wrekinsport teamed up instead to make a challenge for 2-Up honours. Oli Freeman and Ben Wood charged around the tight Long Lane “Criterium” 10 circuit to stop the watch on 22 minutes 40 seconds. As is the nature of the format, a pair can go visibly faster than solo riders, and with the fastest Wrekinsport pairing they didn’t disappoint.
These left riders to make up ground in the solo event, with Adam Mumford in only his second appearance of the season taking the win in 23:51; with Ian Laverie 21 seconds back taking the runner-up spot in 24:12. The lap splits show consistency from Mumford, with the difference 9:02 between 1st and 2nd passages; and 9:01 between 2nd and 3rd. Laverie however slowed from 9:07 to 9:14 as a warm evening took its toll. Meanwhile Matt Price made up some ground on Wood as a consequence of finishing 3rd overall in 24:31, leaving an eight point gap to resolve.
In the Road Bike Series first time entrants came to the fore. Newly signed Chris Staples took the win in 25:06 ahead of Rich Smith in 25:39 and Allan Henderson in 26:28. With Road Bike Series leader Chris Dunn four seconds off Henderson this compressed things at the top, with Dunn only a point clear of Henderson, who is himself a single point ahead of Smith. And another new Wrekinsport signing, Zakary Sule made an impressive start to his time trialling career, just beating ‘Evens’ or 20mph average with a fine 29:57.
A brand new course, two course records – and a frankly bizarre ending to the Wrekinsport CC 25 saw the first mid-race event abandonment in Shropshire in living memory in Round 6 of the SB Sports Injuries Series. With a good entry of 21 riders, eight had finished before news arrived via social media of a car on fire blocking the A442 at the 22 mile point, leaving riders north of the incident to turn around and pick their way back through the lanes.
Those early finishers included the fastest riders on paper, who had fortunately signed on early and beat the issues emerging out on course well after the event was in full swing, with the truncated result seeing Tomos Hales and Hayley Wells set fabulous initial benchmarks and score large in this bonus point round. Under the guidance of Cycling Time Trials, the sports’ governing body, times recorded before event abandonment count; although prizes should less that 50% of the field finish should not be awarded. Given this event was Wrekinsport’s Club Championship and only three club members had finished, a re-run has being scheduled for 20th July.
On a glorious sunny evening the vast majority of those who finished beat the hour, showing the potential of the new and well received ‘Duck’ 25; which starts at Long Lane before heading north to Hodnet, then covers a lap of the ‘Tiddly’ circuit, with a return south to finish at Crudgington. Every straight head-to-head battle between Hales and team mate Dean Callister this season has seen Callister just edge things each time until this event; but this time Hales took the win in 52 minutes 20 seconds at nearly 28.7mph average, pushing Callister, making his first appearance in the 2026 SB Series, out by 29 seconds. Hales was delighted to set yet another course record in a season full of them, and having fallen foul of abandonment before even starting on a long trip to South Wales to the fastest 25 in the Country was pleased not to miss out again, stating: “I enjoyed the new course for the Wrekinsport 25. The wind wasn’t ideal however, and gave me a good opportunity to push into the head wind along the top section. I was happy with my time, and lucky to miss the car fire, which made up for me not being able to ride earlier in the year at the Welsh Championship. Thanks for Wrekinsport for hosting, a nice change of scenery with the new course”. Hales is the current SB Series Champion, and added 26 points to his tally, taking over second spot in the overall standings to lay jus four points off top.
Wells set yet another record, and was the only female to beat the unexpected road block. She looked extremely smooth on the fast, final, downhill push to the finish line, with her upper body totally locked and all energy concentrated in her legs, as the best time trial riders practice. She crossed the line in 58:01 to take fourth spot, and take over the SB Female Series lead as a consequence. She commented: “I always look forward to trying out a new course, and this one didn’t disappoint! The aim of the night was to keep consistency across the distance, and I was happy with the execution, ending with a strong finish. Such a shame not all riders were able to finish due to unforeseen circumstances, but hopefully a course we can use again in the future; thanks to all at Wrekinsport”.
Callister is unaccustomed to finishing as runner-up, but explained that he is battling a current health issue. Even so, his 52:49 is still an extremely creditable effort, more so given the circumstances: “I liked the new course, a great new addition. Not the best ride for me as I’m currently experiencing issues with my left leg. I did what I could, but felt very uncomfortable in places. Thanks to Wrekinsport for the event; and well done to Tomos for the win and course record”.
The best of the three Wrekinsport riders to finish was Oli Freeman, making his debut in the 2026 SB Series with a strong effort of 55:59. Freeman has put in some fine performances as the season has progressed and had to tweak domestic arrangements a little due to wanting to experience the new course, which didn’t disappoint: “I really enjoyed the new ‘Duck’ 25 course, and was pleased with my time, especially after a few longer races in recent weeks. Thanks for creating the course, and to Wrekinsport for putting on a great event, it was definitely one to remember”!
Paramount’s Chris Riley took over the sole lead of the SB Series as a result of his 59:38 sixth place overall, albeit with Hales breathing down his neck, and also opened up a commanding 58 point lead of the SB Veterans Series after taking the Veterans win on the night with +10:10, ahead of new Veteran Ben Wood with +6:29. Riley’s comments reflected on the incident which marred the race: “I’ve ridden through fire on many occasions in the quest for more speed but never so literally as some riders experienced during the Wrekinsport 25! It was a visually dramatic incident, and so very fortunate that nobody was hurt. Joking aside, a huge shame for what was a great turnout, and a refreshing Tiddly/Waters Upton combination course profile. It was a top effort from Wrekinsport race officials; and a great atmosphere as usual despite the inferno”.
With just one Road Bike managing to finish, Rich Smith took the win and the 26 points on offer to move up to third place overall, with Road Bike Series leader Richard Simpson frustrated at being caught behind the incident and unable to finish. Smith’s time when the handicap adjustment was added was 1:03:49 barely mattered; and as expected his post-race comments contained a number of tongue-in-cheek remarks: “My first time racing a 25 on the road bike and on a new course, so I rode to power numbers and was happy enough with how I paced it. More importantly, I was delighted to win the inaugural (and hopefully last) ‘Ring of Fire’ event as the only road bike survivor. The accusation by my fellow road bike competitors that I set fire to a car on the A442 to ensure victory is frankly outrageous although, fair enough, it is the kind of thing I might do! I prefer the explanation of one of my coaching clients that the speed of my riding had simply caused the car to spontaneously combust. I fear neither is close to the truth. Joking aside, a great new course inventively organised to avoid road works without sacrificing the quality of a good racing circuit. More importantly, I’m pleased everybody, marshals, riders and the unfortunate car owner all made it home safely after an unusually eventful evening”.
The heavens opened half an hour before Round 8 of the Denso and Tern Cycles Evening 10 Series by Wrekinsport leaving officials concerned that standing water may force a belated cancellation. Fortunately the rain blew through by race time, with riders reporting that roads had largely dried for the race, with just one large area of standing water 100 metres beyond the finish line which was easily managed. Despite this a 2-Up team withdrew just a little too early to take advantage.
Held on the Waters Upton – Hodnet 10 mile course because of the monthly experimental mixture of solo, 2-Up and 4-Up formats, conditions were decidedly chillier than in recent weeks, with Oli Freeman taking the solo win in 22 minutes 17 seconds, one second down on his Round 7 best on the far more technical Long Lane circuit.
Freeman opened up his Series lead to 14 points over Ben Wood again pushing him into the runner-up spot, with Wood finishing in 23:15. There was a first-time appearance in a club 10 this year for Adam Mumford, and he immediately set about taking third spot in 23:46.
In the Road Bike category there was unusually just one entrant, with Chris Dunn stopping the watch on 27:17. This gave him the maximum six points on offer, and lifted him into the Road Bike Series lead, the second change of leader in as many weeks in a tightly-fought contest. Dunn was helped by Peter Jukes, Allan Henderson, Franco Della Mura and Rich Smith suspended Road Bike hostilities for the week to team up in the 4-Up competition, ending their evening on 25:13.
It was a windy night in Round 7 of the Denso and Tern Cycles Evening 10 Series by Wrekinsport – but that didn’t stop Oli Freeman taking yet another win and posting his fastest time on this course ever. Freeman took full advantage of a strong easterly wind and the 27ºC temperature which given the wedge shape of the course gave some assistance along Long Lane but was a short battle directly into it at Shawbirch. Freeman crossed the line in 22 minutes 16 seconds, 14 seconds up on his Round 6 time; whilst runner-up Ben Wood actually went back a second with 23:08. Freeman now holds a 13 point advantage in the Championship. Third spot was a close call between Ian Laverie and visiting rider Hayden Beebee, with Laverie ending his evening on 24:05, 11 seconds to the good.
There’s a new leader in the Road Bike Series with the top three split by just two points. Allan Henderson took the win in 26:01, 10 seconds ahead of Rich Smith to take over that lead after Peter Jukes finished in 4th. This is likely to be a great battle for the medals as the 10 mile Championship, now at the halfway point, rolls on.
The only female in action was again Bethan Tomlinson, here with a personal best time of 29:12, a 48 second improvement on her Round 6 time.
Oli Freeman took another fine win in the 6th round of the Denso and Tern Cycles Evening 10 Series by Wrekinsport on an evening where Road Bikes, the growing area of the sport made up two-thirds of the field. Held on the tight and technical Long Lane circuit, Freeman stopped the watch on 22 minutes 30 seconds, with the rider lying in the runner-up spot in the standings, Ben Wood off a minute beforehand. This meant that Freeman caught regular glimpses of Wood around the circuit, spurring him on to his best time on this course for 2026. Wood took the runner-up spot in 23:07, and now sits 12 points behind Freeman in the overall standings. Taking third spot was Matt Price, on good form with a strong 24:51.
With the Road Bike category hotly contested on the evening there was a good battle between Rich Smith and Allan Henderson for honours. Henderson was up by five seconds at the first and second passages through the finish, but faded just a little at the end as Smith got the upper hand by four seconds, ending his evening on 26:23 to Henderson’s 26:27. With Series leader Peter Jukes finishing 4th Road Bike both made up ground in the standings, compressing things at the top. The lone female in competition was Bethan Tomlinson, ending her evening on 30 minutes exactly, a 20mph average.
It was a character building evening as only the hardier breed turned up to Round 5 of the Denso and Tern Cycles Evening 10 Series, with just eight riders taking the line in chilly conditions and having to battle a stiff and gusting north-west wind. That of course meant a good chance of scoring big points on the Long Lane circuit.
Oli Freeman didn’t finish that much off the pace from his Round 3 time, the last time on the technical circuit, loosing just nine seconds to take the win in 22 minutes 51 seconds. Freeman declared post-race that “The straight was horrible”, indicating a tough triple passage along the A442. Freeman extended his Series lead to 11 points as a result. His nearest challenge came from Phil Roberts, making his first solo appearance of the year and stopping the watch on 23:46. Meanwhile third placed Ben Wood lost a lot of speed thanks to the added frustration of being stuck behind a slow moving mobile water tanker for the entire half mile length of his second passage down Long Lane, which affected both his rhythm and time: 1:07 down on his Round 3 effort in 24:07.
In the Road Bike Series winner Allan Henderson stated that the evening constituted “The toughest conditions I’ve ever ridden in”, which wasn’t enough to stop him adding five points to his tally and moving up to the runner-up spot in the standings thanks to a 27:09 effort, just five seconds off his Round 3 time; with the benefit of the tailwind south along the B5063 making up some of the lost ground pushing north. Henderson’s nearest challenge came from Series leader Peter Jukes in 27:51, and who now holds a four point lead.
The first ever experimental test of a unique triple format event being held monthly saw Wrekinsport run solo, 2-Up and 4-Up categories in Round 4 of the Denso and Tern Cycles Evening 10 Series by Wrekinsport on the Waters Upton – Hodnet course. Despite a slight chill in the air conditions for the first time this year were near still, ensuring some fast times.
Solo winner was Aerologic’s Tomos Hales, first off and first back by some minutes on his favourite local 10 mile course. Hales stopped the watch on 20 minutes 38 seconds, with his nearest challenge coming from Wrekinsport’s Oli Freeman in 21:47. Freeman extended his Series lead over Ben Wood to 9 points after a first appearance of the season for Chris Halford took 3rd spot with 22:10, and Wood in fourth with 22:27.
There’s a new leader in the Road Bike Series as Peter Jukes snuck one point ahead of Rich Smith – but it could have been two if he had been one second faster. Jukes finished third on the night in 27:10, behind Chris Dunn on 27:09. But neither of them had an answer for the category winner Allan Henderson; who crossed the line in 25:57.
The first points in the 2-Up category were registered with Matt Price and Dave Seager recording 25:35. But eyes were on the 4-Up format, a popular request from within the club which took a little head scratching over the winter to work out how to run within another event when it is usually only ever stand alone. Two teams entered, with Phil Roberts, Chris Staples, Tim Burn and George Coombes taking the win in 22:13 ahead of Bernard Hutson-Lumb, Stu Wright, Kieran Hackett and Tom Mason in 23:29.
Both the overall and female course records were smashed in Round 4 of the SB Sports Injuries Series on a windy evening in Wrekinsport CC’s Hannah Phipps-Jones 18. Held on a reserve course between Shawbirch and Hodnet, the last time this had had to be called into use was in 2022 – but the records both date back even further to 2020. Tomos Hales took a huge win in 38 minutes 8 seconds to knock 21 seconds off the record of the rider who finished as runner-u on the night, Dan Watts; whilst Hayley Wells continues to break records with a fabulous 42:24, slicing 50 seconds off Deb Hutson-Lumb’s benchmark.
Riders expressed getting a rare chance to ride this course as a refreshing change – so much so that the club committee are considering making it the main choice in 2027. Hales’ comments echoed this sentiment: “I haven’t done this course for over four years, so it was nice to do it again. I felt very good on the ride and managed to deal with the difficult crosswind which persisted for the whole ride. Clearly the new roundabout didn’t slow me up as the new tarmac made me quicker. It’s good to have the course record; and thanks for Wrekinsport for hosting they do a great job”. The reigning Series Champion lifted himself to the top of the standings as a result of this ride, but only has a narrow two point lead over previous leader Chris Riley.
Wells was delighted at lowering yet another female course record in a feat that is almost becoming routine this season as she builds on the success of 2025 and has come back even stronger. Like Hales, the conditions looked like playing a significant part, but she surprised herself: “It was a breezy night which threw me off my rhythm a bit so I was not expecting much! I found the ‘out’ leg quite tough, but then managed to claw back a bit of time on the return leg. Excellent organisation and atmosphere as always from Wrekinsport; and it was good to ride a course which isn’t used very often”. Reigning Female Champion Wells lifted herself back to the top of the table on the back of this effort after missing two earlier rounds and is clearly making up for lost time with a ride good enough for eighth spot overall from a 29-strong field.
Watts is more normally seen racing a Road Bike, but dug his Time Trial bike out on another tricky evening which gave him some issues as the deeper-section wheels took the brunt. He was generous in his post-race comments about his record falling after taking the runner-up spot in 39:16: “There’s nothing like reintroducing yourself to the handling of a Time Trial bike than to ride on an extremely strong crosswind evening! All in all I’m pleased to take second, and still trying to find those time trailling legs of old. Congrats to both Tom and Hayley for their course records, even if it does see my time from 2020 fall”.
Another rider also making his 2026 debut took third spot as Jonathan Whittaker stopped the watch on 41:01 to see off the challenge of Wrekinsport’s Ben Wood by 16 seconds. Whittaker explained his absence so far: “This was my first opportunity for an outing on my Time Trial bike in 2026; and this was my first time doing this course, but no better place to do it as it’s a section of road that makes up so much of our yearly time trials. It was nice to come away with third position, being my first event of the year. We couldn’t have asked for better weather, albeit a little windy on course. I’m looking forward to the rest of the season’s time trials along the Shropshire roads – thanks to Wrekinsport and all the volunteers for putting the event together”.
In the SB Veterans Series Paramount’s Chris Riley added another 20 points for his win to put a firm stranglehold on the championship as he extended his lead to 30 points after finishing with a +7:39 standard; 11 seconds better than Wrekinsport’s Chris Halford. Unlike other comments about the wind hampering progress, Riley’s perspective was positive, particularly with some warmth finally thrown in: “My third bash at this course and a little faster than 2022. The fresh easterly wind was the right kind of air, and the warm conditions made for a great evening of racing. There was a good turnout, some superstar performances and a lovely atmosphere, which is standard at the Wrekinsport events. I’m enjoying the SB Series this year which I’d recommend for its range of races and friendly welcome – thanks everyone”.
Another rider making hay whilst the sun shines was North Shropshire Wheelers’ Richard Simpson, who stretched his lead at the top of the SB Road Bike Series with his third win from four events. Simpson now has a 22 point lead over George Coombes after finishing in an adjusted 42:22 to Coombes’ 43:16. He stated: “Very strong crosswinds, especially in the first 5 miles or so made for challenging riding at times, but I was pleased with my performance despite being held up slightly at the turn“.
