Cyclists smash records on the opening day of the Shropshire time trialing season

The overall and female course records were smashed in the opening round of the Friction Hydraulics Series - the Wrekinsport CC Chris Edwards Hilly 17.

Kirk Vickers knocked 41 seconds off Thomas Bill's benchmark, while Hayley Wells sliced one minute, 46 seconds off her own female course record, both set in 2025. 

And there was further reason to celebrate for organisers Wrekinsport CC as the entry level leapt 45 per cent, with road bikes making up 62 per cent of the field in the fastest-growing sector of time trialling.

Just three years ago, the club was thinking of pulling the plug on this event with entries in the teens, but a change to the new Atcham - Ironbridge bypass course, along with the road bike initiative,  saw a strong field of 51 making the best of a fine early spring day. 

Four-time BBR champion Vickers, riding for Holohan Coaching, claimed victory as he became the first ever rider below 40 minutes, stopping the watch on 39 minutes, 26 seconds in his first attempt at the course. 

He had an advantageous draw, starting one minute behind 2022 BBR champion Tomos Hales – something that spurred on both riders to greater heights as Vickers fought hard to reel Hales in.

“I really enjoyed the undulating course, exactly my kind of effort," said Vickers. "It was a chilly day, but the legs felt good."

Hales, riding for Aerologic, knocked a huge 1:41 off his 2025 effort as he finished runner-up in 40:45. 

Attracting 2014 and 2017 National Hill Climb champion Dan Evans to Shropshire was a real bonus for the event, as he won the Road Bike category overall in 41 minutes exactly. 

Evans said: “I really enjoyed the course; it was a nice flowing route with the obvious sting in the tail up to the turn. 

"I’m trying to focus on some road bike time trials this year with one eye on the British Hill Climb up Porlock Toll at the end of October.”

Taking the Road Bike honours for Shropshire was Dave Scott Coaching’s James Pearce, who crossed the line in 42:01, taking 1:14 out of another Holohan Coaching rider, Chris Pook. 

The female record was shattered by 2024 BBR Female champion Hayley Wells, making her second attempt at the course. 

With a benchmark of 46:16 from 2025 to beat, she did that easily, throwing herself across the finish line in 44:30 for ninth SCCA overall. 

Wells is clearly on form right from the off, but revealed that this course plays to her strengths.

“It was great to be back racing on Shropshire roads. Hilly time trials suit me well, so the slog up Buildwas Bank was a welcome challenge," she said.

But things didn’t go as well for Simon Romei, the 2025 event winner, as a mistake at the turn cost him time he had worked hard to gain by battling into the modest headwind. 

With a turn at the top of Jiggers Bank, Romei somehow took the turn a junction early and had to frantically turn around after realising, aided by shouts from the marshals.

Fortunately for Romei the estimated 15 seconds he lost correcting his course didn’t cost him the Veterans' win as he kept Pook out by a solitary second, finishing with +1:33 to Pook’s +1:32. 

Paramount topped the Top Club Award rankings with 375 points, ahead of Dave Scott Coaching on 240.