Hales strikes gold at the death

In the closest fought battle for Friction Hydraulics Series supremacy, Tomos Hales made it three Championships in a row following a dramatic final round.

Hales (Aerologic RT) took the honours in the North Shropshire Wheelers 25 to displace long-time Series leader Hayley Wells and leapfrog Rob McGregor.

The trio entered the final round split by just 10 points, but it was Hales’ who claimed victory in 52 minutes 43 seconds to take Series gold.

McGregor finished fourth on the day in 56:20, but with Wells agonisingly unavailable due to a clash of personal plans he took the silver medal, consigning her to bronze by 30 points.

Hales beat off strong challenges from Simon Romei (54:38) and Bryn Davies (55:48) to take the win and the Series at the last-gasp, but had to battle all the way against the headwind on a morning he was, by his own admission, not at his best.

“This was my last Open event of the year, so I wanted to give it my all," he said.

"Unfortunately my legs didn’t get the memo and I struggled on the way out into a headwind. At least the last few miles always feel fast on this course.

"Well done to Rob and Hayley for the tough competition. I doubt there has ever been a women fighting for the Open Friction Series title before."

Hales’ comments about Wells were entirely correct - this was a unique feat showing what a top class, National level rider she is becoming.

Wells could have topped up her points tally by a maximum 35 points due to the best 12 scores from 17 events rule, meaning she would have had to have finished at least sixth and beaten Jed Friskney’s 59:22 – something she is well capable of.

However, she was still pleased to have won overall bronze in a first for a female after registering some simply terrific performances throughout the season.

“I was really pleased to finish third overall in what’s been a fantastic local Series," she said. "The competition at the top has been incredibly close, making for some exciting and competitive racing."

For McGregor, winning a Friction Series medal was a long-term goal, and he reflected on coming into form as the season progressed.

“I’ve been aiming for a Friction and Hydraulics Series podium for a few seasons now," he said. "I’m really happy that I managed it this year having focused specifically on time trials."

Romei also took he Veterans' win on the day with +12:42, 12 seconds ahead of Hafren CC’s Davies in this age-adjusted competition.

Davies’ team-mate and namesake, Jan Davies, came away with the female win in 1:08:31 - 3:18 ahead of Helen Tudor.

Tudor secured Friction Female Series silver on the strength of her ride, consigning Thea Osmund-Smith to the bronze medal position.

In the Friction Road Bike Series, the 2026 winner Stuart Proctor led from the front with a dominant performance showing just why he is the champion.

He registered a handicap time of 55:25 to see off the attentions of closest challenger on the morning, Richard Simpson, in 58:03.

The two other medals in the Road Bike Series had gone down to the wire, with Jon Goh taking silver and Andrew Dawson bronze.

That left one final medal to be resolved with Flo Parkinson helping herself to Friction Junior silver.