Hayley Wells (Wrekinsport CC) and George Elliott (Liverpool Century RC) were fastest at the Mid-Shropshire Wheelers 50-mile time trial near Prees on Sunday morning.

Staged on a new course due to long term roadworks on the regular roads used near Crudginton, the event saw Elliott set a benchmark record time of 1-51-53 to take the win in the open category by just 13 seconds from Andrew Whiteley (Team Lifting Gear Products), while Tony Cullen (Tri Central UK) was third with 1-52-29.

Wells clocked 2-06-08 for the course to finish as fastest female by over 18 minutes from Chester Road Club’s Rebecca Holland, with third being Oswestry Paragon CC’s Helen Tudor.

After his win, Elliott said: “I went into the event optimistic but unsure about pacing as it had been years since I’ve done a 50.

“A hilly course meant it took me a while to get settled into my rhythm but once I did the warm weather seemed to really help my average speed. I made good use of the downhills to prevent bogging down on the hard uphill sections of the course.

“Overall I quite enjoyed the event and was glad to get my first 50 of the season under my belt. Onto the next!”

And Hayley Wells said after her ride: “I was chuffed with the results as this is only my second 50. It was a beautiful sunny morning and I knocked over five minutes off my PB.

“My plan was to set out at a sensible pace, attack the hills, and then build across the distance. This worked a dream as did my nutrition strategy.

“Huge thanks to Marshalls and organisers!”

Top veteran on standard was Vincent Pickering (St Christophers CC) with a plus of 23-48, while the road bike prize went to Mark Fenn (Shropshire CCA) with 2-15-43.

This was Elliott’s fifth open time trial of the year and his first victory, but it comes after placing second at the Mersey Tri 10-mile event in April.

Hayley Wells was also competing in her fifth time trial of the season, but secured her fourth victory after some good form. She was victorious at the Paramount CRT 20, Mid-Shropshire Wheelers 25 and Bridgnorth CC 21 in April and placed second at last weekend’s highly-competitive East Lancashire Road Club 10 on the Levens course where she clocked a new personal best time.

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

Results

Open
1 George Elliott (Liverpool Century RC) 1:51:53
2 Andrew Whiteley (Team Lifting Gear Products) 1:52:06
3 Tony Cullen (TricentralUk) 1:52:29
4 Vincent Pickering (St Christopher's CC) 1:54:29
5 Simon Romei (Paramount CRT) 1:54:33
6 Alan Broadbent (Graham Weigh Racing-Deeside Olympic) 1:55:56

Fastest Female
1 Hayley Wells (Wrekinsport CC) 2:06:08
2 Rebecca Holland (Chester RC) 2:24:10
3 Helen Tudor (Oswestry Paragon CC) 2:31:19

Best Vet on Standard
Vincent Pickering (St Christopher's CC) + 23:48

Road Bike
Mark Fenn (Shropshire CCA) 2:15:43