Hales recaptures the Gordon Davies Trophy

Tomos Hales recaptured the Gordon Davies Trophy as riders battled soaring temperatures at the Ride Fast Coaching Shropshire Championship 10, hosted by Oswestry Paragon CC.

The event, round 14 of the Friction Hydraulics Series, saw Hales produce a winning ride on the Four Crosses-Welshpool course, stopping the clock at 20 minutes 27 seconds.

The 2024 champion finished 35 seconds ahead of Oswestry Paragon rider David Griffiths, with Jonathan Whittaker taking bronze in 21:28 after Hales caught him just one second before the finish.

Hales said the warm conditions offered the prospect of a fast time, but warned the climb to the finish could catch riders out.

“It was great to take the win and the 10 Championship,” he said, thanking organiser Helen Tudor and Oswestry Paragon for hosting the event.

Hayley Wells retained the Gordon Davies Female Trophy with a time of 22:37, despite admitting she had struggled to find her rhythm on the outward leg.

Wells also extended her lead in the Friction Hydraulics Series to 50 points.

There was further success for Stuart Proctor, who claimed Road Bike Gold and the Shropshire Road Bike 10 Mile Championship Trophy with an adjusted time of 21:55.

His performance moved him into the lead of the Friction Road Bike Series, five points clear of Andrew Dawson.

Chris Riley sealed the Friction Veterans Series despite a quieter-than-usual evening, having raced three times in three days. Riley said winning the series had been a five-year ambition.

Paramount CRT claimed Team Gold, with Rob McGregor, Mitchell Fletcher and Jon Goh recording a combined time of 1:07:44.

McGregor also recorded his fastest 10-mile time of the year, going under 22 minutes for the first time in 2026.

There was success in the junior categories too. Fourteen-year-old Taliesin Goh won Junior Gold and the Alan Roberts Junior Trophy in a personal-best 26:44.

Flo Parkinson, 13, took Junior Silver in 31:18 on her debut in the Friction Hydraulics Series.

Veterans Gold went to Hafren CC’s Bryn Davies, while John Westhead claimed Silver – his first County Championship medal since winning bronze as a schoolboy in 1973.