John Archibald (HUUB WattShop) and Hayley Wells (Wrekinsport CC) timed their efforts well to claim the open and women’s victories at the Mid Shropshire Wheelers 25-mile events.

Scratch rider Archibald was in impressive form as he posted a winning time of 47 minutes and 57 seconds – over two minutes clear of his nearest opponent.

The D25/50 saw competitors start outside Prees in Shropshire before heading out and back along the A49 to Battlefield near Shrewsbury.

Archibald, aged 33, was firm favourite coming into the event but a headwind out meant that he was slightly slower than his Spindata forecasted time of 47-46.

The HUUB WattShop rider had been targeting Dan Bigham’s course record of 46-34 but will have to return in better conditions.

Luke Pollard (Royal Air Force Cycling Association) led the charge behind finishing second in 51-27, while Dean Callister (Aerologic RT) was third (53-56).

Meanwhile, the best veteran on standard was Philip Brown (Walsall Roads Cycling Club) with his time of 1-04-19 equating to +11:04

“It went as well as I could have hoped considering the conditions,” said Archibald.

“There was a headwind out so I frontloaded my effort a bit and I was then blown back.

“I’d have liked to have gone a bit quicker but there wasn’t much that could be done about that.

“I didn’t know who I was racing against but I did have an eye on Dan Bigham’s course record, I was a bit off that.

“It was a single carriageway road and no real technical aspect, just about pacing your effort well.”

In the women’s event Wells, aged 31, recorded a winning time of one hour, one minute and 26 seconds.

The Wrekinsport CC competitor also won the Paramount CRT charity event last weekend and despite the windy conditions took 20 seconds off her personal best.

Veteran Gretchen Zoeller (Born to Bike - Bridgtown Cycles) finished second in 1-07-45 and Helen Tudor (Oswestry Paragon CC) was third (1-14-10).

“I was super chuffed to not only take the women’s win, but also picked up a 25-mile personal best,” said Wells.

“I last did this course a year ago, on a cold and wet morning. Today brought sunshine with a cooler breeze.

“It’s a challenging 25-mile rolling course with quick downhills but with some equally tough kickers!

“There was a head/cross wind starting on the way out, so the aim was to contain some energy for the return leg. For once I felt I judged this well.”

Meanwhile, Mark Lovatt (Congleton CC - MyWindsock) took his first open victory of the season in the road bike competition after stopping the clock in 57-27.

Last month Lovatt finished runner-up in the Crewe Clarion Wheelers 15-mile event but he was not to be denied this time out.

Second road bike was Alan Forrester (Graham Weigh Racing-Deeside Olympic) in 1-11-42, while Michael Yates (Liverpool Century RC) finished third (1-20-32).

The two-up competition was won by the Velotik Racing Team pairing of Toby Williams and David James Williams who stopped the clock in 53-40.

Runners-up were James Claydon and Stephen Feeney (Tactic Sport UK Race Team) in 55-56, while Zac Whitehall and Nathan Whitehall (Congleton CC - MyWindsock) placed third (1-02-47).

* All reports are copyright of Cycling Time Trials/Snowdon Sports. Not to be used without permission.

Results:

1 John Archibald (HUUB WattShop) 47.57
2 Luke Pollard (Royal Air Force Cycling Association)          51.27
3 Dean Callister (Aerologic RT)        53.56
4 George Elliott (Liverpool Century RC)       54.20
5 Tomos Hales (Wrekinsport CC)      54.40
6 David Griffiths (Oswestry Paragon CC)     54.51

Veteran on standard: Philip Brown (Walsall Roads Cycling Club) +11:0

Women:
1 Hayley Wells (Wrekinsport CC)      1:01.26
2 Gretchen Zoeller (Born To Bike - Bridgtown Cycles)        1:07.45
3 Helen Tudor (Oswestry Paragon CC)          1:14.10

Road Bike:
1 Mark Lovatt (Congleton CC - MyWindsock)          57.27
2 Alan Forrester (Graham Weigh Racing-Deeside Olympic) 1:11.42
3 Michael Yates (Liverpool Century RC)       1:20.32

Two-up:

1 Toby Williams & David James Williams (Velotik Racing Team)   53.40
2 James Claydon & Stephen Feeney (Tactic Sport UK Race Team)  55.56
3 Zac Whitehall & Nathan Whitehall (Congleton CC - MyWindsock)          1:02.47