Weekend Preview, Mar 30-31

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Around a hundred riders are heading for South Wales in search of fast times this weekend , as the Merthyr Cycling Club host a 25-mile time trial on the record-breaking R25/3h course near Rhigos which has seen competition records set and countless personal best performances over the years.

Ioan Smallwood

Fastest on paper is Cardiff Ajax CC’s Ioan Smallwood who is last man off, while others with sub 50-minute personal bests include Chris Gibbard (Bynea CC), Sam Tillett (Wales Racing Academy), Joseph Dobson (Manchester BC) and Felix Wilkinson (Velo Club Montpellier) to name but a few.

And the women’s field has a host of speedy riders, with Vicky Gill (Drag2zero), Victoria Smith (AeroCoach) and Elizabeth Bennett (Team Jadan-Weldtite) likely to be challenging for the podium.

In Northumberland there’s a quality field for the Barnesbury CC sporting 21-mile time trial near Belsay on Saturday.

More than 100 riders have entered, including Ribble Pro Cycling’s Zeb Kyffin, Thomas Hutchinson (Team Kirkley Cycles), and the Murray clan in the form of Keith, son Sam (both Drag2zero) and sister Christina (Army Cycling).

Victoria Smith

In Scotland, GTR-Return to Life are staging a 10-mile event near Irvine which has attracted almost a full field.

The promoting club’s Douglas Watson is last man off and should challenge for the win, while others to watch include Adam Wild, the GS Metro rider who won the opening round of the Sigma Sports Classic TT Series in Dorset last weekend.

In Essex on Saturday, Chelmer CC are holding a 25.6-mile hardriders TT near Finchingfield. Colin Ward (Essex Roads CC) and ActiveEdge RT duo of Felix Barker and John Mulvey are likely to be challenging for a podium spot.

Gary Chambers (NOPINZ) is last man off in the Fareham Wheelers 10 on Saturda,y with other names to watch including Nick Tarmey (VC Venta), Simon Berogna (VC St Raphael) as well as Angela Carpenter and Kirsty Mcseveney (both a3crg) in the women’s category.

The event also includes a road bike category which has attracted a healthy entry of riders wanting to tackle the P829/a course near Wickham in Hampshire.

VC Sevale (Malvern) are hosting a 10-mile event on the K46/10 course near Severn Stoke in Worcestershire, with riders including Jon Simpkins (Drag2zero) and Adam Jarps (Team Bottrill) entered.

Philip Graves

A full field of 120 riders will tackle the Stretford Wheelers 10 on Sunday in Cheshire, with top names including Darren Maironis (Transition RT), Jack Brown (ActiveEdge RT) and 15 women including Keri Parton (Pro Vision Cycle Clothing).

Princes Risborough in Buckinghamshire hosts the Watford Velo Sport 21-mile event on Sunday.

The winner of last weekend’s Hemel Hempstead CC 22, Josh Crow-Stewart (Arctic Tacx) is down to ride, as is Danny Axford (Arctic Tacx), Richard Moule (Bossard Wheelers) and Luke Clarke (TMG Horizon CT).

And in East Yorkshire City Road Club (Hull) are hosting a 15-mile event near Newport, which has attracted the likes of Philip Graves (NOPINZ), John Brearley (Squadra RT), and Fiona Sharp (Team Swift).

Full startsheets are available on the CTT website. Remember to keep checking back to the CTT website over the weekend for reports and results.

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