Oswestry Paragon Time Trials Series

After a long cold winter, the sun finally came out to welcome in the start of the Oswestry Paragon evening time trial series.

The series sees cyclists competing against the clock over a 10-mile course from Queen's Head to Gobowen and back, and the club runs events every Friday night until the end of August.

The first event of 2018 saw 36 riders take to the line (including 10 juniors), all keen to test themselves and it was the junior riders who led the way home.

Taking his first victory, 15-year-old Ben Pierce of Mid Shropshire Wheelers was quickest on the night in a time of 22 minutes and 59 seconds.

This year Kieran Morris has switched to Oswestry Paragon and has focused his training on cycling. The 17-year-old was rewarded with second place in a time of 23:17. Peter Thomas of Hafren CC took third place in a time of 23:23 putting him six seconds ahead of Wrexham RC’s Luke Valence (23:29).

The next four places were filled by Mid Shropshire Wheelers riders, with Tony Harvey (23:59) coming home ahead of a close fought battle with Simon Evans (24:09), Tim Jones (24:16) and Dave Saunders (24:17) separated by just eight seconds.

Laying out his challenge for Paragon silverware, Glyn Jones carried on from where he left off last year finishing ninth overall and second Paragon rider in 24:20.

Another Mid Shropshire Wheelers junior rounded off the top 10 with James Satoor crossing the line in 24:21.

Jack Young saw the benefit of his winter training with a course best 24:29, also giving him maximum points in his defence of the Paragon junior title, putting him ahead of Lucy Hammonds (31:08) and Danny Barker (32:08).

New for Paragon riders in 2018 is a trophy for the fastest club rider on a standard road bike with no aerodynamic aids and it was Jack Morris who laid down the gauntlet with a time of 25:03.

Lou Williams of OO Tri was fastest woman in 26:04, ahead of 14-year-old Daphne Jones of Mid Shropshire Wheelers (28:53).

Top 10 Results: 1, Ben Pierce MSW 22.59; 2, Kieran Morris OPCC 23.17; 3, Peter Thomas Hafren CC 23.23; 4, Luke Vallence FRWC 23.29; 5, Tony Harvey MSW 23.59; 6, Simon Evans MSW 24.09; 7, Tim Jones MSW 24.16; 8, Dave Saunders MSW 24.17; 9, Glyn Jones OPCC 24.20; 10, James Satoor MSW 24.21.