North Shropshire Wheelers 25

Deb Hutson-Lumb (Wrekinsport CC) set a new course personal best despite strong winds to win the women’s event at the North Shropshire Wheelers 25, while David Griffiths (Oswestry Paragon CC) was quickest rider on the day.

Road bike competitor Mark Lovatt (Congleton CC – MyWindsock) also did an impressive ride with his 56-56 fast enough to win the category and take third place overall.

The D25/20 saw riders start at Prees before heading out and back along the A49 to the turn at Shrewsbury. The return leg was slightly longer with the finish at Prees Heath, south of Whitchurch.

Hutson-Lumb, aged 59, took her fifth open victory of the season stopping the clock in 1-02-18 which was almost nine minutes faster than her nearest female competitor.

Fellow veteran female rider Jan Davies (Hafren CC) led the chase behind clocking 1-11-12 for second and Helen Tudor (Oswestry Paragon CC) was third (1-12-34).

“This is not my favourite course as it is rather lumpy and I tend to go out to hard and really suffer on the way back,” said Hutson-Lumb.

“Today however, I actually stuck to the plan and took 80 seconds off my course personal best.

“It was super windy on the way out with gusts making the bike hard to handle at times. On the return leg everything was much more stable and I'd kept enough in the tank to push on and work hard on the climbs.

“I was very pleased with my ride and thanks to North Shropshire Wheelers for organising.”

In the open event Griffiths, aged 32, recorded his first open victory in over two years after setting a winning time of 54-43 – over a minute clear of his nearest opponent.

James Griffiths (Velotik Racing Team) finished second in 55-55, while road bike competitor Lovatt was third overall (56-56).

“It's good to get a win and was worth getting out of bed early for,” said Griffiths.

“I felt terrible during the ride but managed to go faster than I did in April for significantly less power.

“Hopefully this is the start of some consistency before the end of season objectives. However as, soon as I start to get fit I usually get sick; catching the illness from my patients (I'm a GP).

“Thank you to the organisers for putting the event on and I'll try and get a couple more rides in on this course before the season ends.”

Road bike competitor Lovatt took his seventh open win in the category this season with an impressive ride.

Over eight minutes behind was Mark Fenn (Shropshire CCA) in second road bike (1-05-21), while Peter Kavanagh (Birkenhead Victoria CC) was third (1-08-06).

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Results:

Open:

1 David Griffiths (Oswestry Paragon CC)     54.43
2 James Griffiths (Velotik Racing Team)       55.55
3 Mark Lovatt (Congleton CC – MyWindsock)         56.56
4 Tomos Hales (Wrekinsport CC)      57.15
5 Jarod Garrington (Velotik Racing Team)    57.42
6 Alan Broadbent (Graham Weigh Racing-Deeside Olympic)          57.55
7 Christopher Riley (Paramount CRT)           58.10
8 Joseph Costello (Legato Racing Team (LRT)         58.32
9 Bryn Davies (Hafren CC)    59.24
10 Ben Love (Graham Weigh Racing-Deeside Olympic)     59.25

Women:
1 Deb Hutson-Lumb (Wrekinsport CC)         1:02.18
2 Jan Davies (Hafren CC)      1:11.12
3 Helen Tudor (Oswestry Paragon CC)         1:12.34
4 Vicky Hinstridge (Ruthin Cycling Club / Clwb Seiclo Rhuthun)   1:17.24
5 Kathryn Rossiter (North Shropshire Wheelers)       1:18.40

Road bikes:
1 Mark Lovatt (Congleton CC – MyWindsock)         56.56
2 Mark Fenn (Shropshire CCA)         1:05.21
3 Peter Kavanagh (Birkenhead Victoria CC) 1:08.06
4 Benjamin Nickolls (Paramount CRT)         1:11.47
5 Dan Leighton-Davies (Liverpool Braveheart Bicycle Club)           1:13.39
6 Ashley Kirkham (Wrekinsport CC) 1:17.42
7 Adrian Smyth (Birkenhead Victoria CC)    1:21.44