The classic Monsal hill-climb is staged by Sheffrec CC on Sunday morning, as the build-up to the National Championships continues to gather pace.

More than 230 riders are down to ride the tough 645-yard climb in Derbyshire, with entries including former national champion Adam Kenway (Vitus Pro Cycling). In-form hill-climb ace Calum Brown (B38-Cycles in Motion) is the last man off as the 2018 winner on Monsal Head, while Gregg Booker (Loughborough Students CC) will be looking to improve on third last year.

2018 women’s winner Emilie Verroken (Maxx RT) return to defend her Monsal crown, while other female to watch include last year’s runner-up Abbie Taylor (Fusion CC Dronfield), Rebecca Richardson (Brother.UK Fusion) and Hannah Larbalestier (Univ of Sheffield CC).

Also keep an eye out for retiring pro road rider and five-time Monsal winner Russell Downing (Team Giordana) who is hanging up his wheels after this event.

Defending women’s national champion Fiona Burnie (GS Metro) tackles the Stockton Wheelers climb from Reeth to Tan Hill in North Yorkshire, while other riders to watch out for include Sarah Cramoysan, the veteran with Prima Team Racing who was second in the British Best All-Rounder competition several years ago.

Andrew Feather (Champion System UK) continues the build up to his national championship title defence with a ride in the Chippenham and District Wheelers climb of Bowden Hill, Lacock, on Saturday. And he also tackles the Realteam.co.uk event near Rhigos, South Wales, on Sunday.

Other riders to watch out for in the Chippenham and District Wheelers event include Glyndwr Griffiths (73 Degrees Bicycles) as well as Morgan Curle (Rogue Racing) who won the Sodbury Cycle Sport climb two weeks ago. And of the women, VC Melyd’s Lucy Lee looks like the one to catch.

Feather faces some stiff competition in the Realteam.co.uk event on Sunday too, where Ed Laverack (SwiftCarbon Pro Cycling) is off 60 seconds before him. Didcot Phoenix CC’s Richard Gildea is also chasing the podium.

Realteam.co.uk also promote a hill-climb on Saturday where among the riders tackling the Bwlch near Treorchy is multiple national champion and record holder Hayley Simmonds (AeroCoach). Richard Gildea is down to ride this event too.

Other events taking place this weekend include the Tour de Trossachs 28-mile time trial near Aberfoyle, promoted by the Ivy CC in Scotland.

Lewes Wanderers are staging a 17.2-mile two-up time trial near Ringmer in East Sussex on Sunday, while in Norfolk the Norwich ABC have a 25-mile test.

Also over 25 miles in the Yorkshire CF event near Dishforth, as well as the VTTA London and Home Counties time trial near Marlow in Buckinghamshire, and the Lea Valley CC 25 near Ugley in Essex.

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

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