The speed merchants will be out in force this weekend preparing for the National 10 at the end of the month with many of the favourites going head-to-head for the first time since lockdown.

The fast L1015 course provided a host of personal bests last weekend and a stellar field will be heading to Cumbria for Croston Velo 10 on Sunday.

Member of the National Team Time Trial winning Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling side Simon Wilson goes off as scratch man.

Silver medallist from the National 25 last term Phil Williams (Team Bottrill) will also have his eyes on victory on the out and back course on the A590

They will also face stiff opposition from Dan Bigham (Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling) and last season’s fifth place finisher in the National 10 Thomas Hutchinson (Team Kirkley Cycles).

The women’s field is also a strong one and led by reigning National 10 and Closed Circuit Champion Joss Lowden (Drops Cycling).

All eyes will be on World Tour professional Connor Swift (Team Arkea-Samsic) who takes on his first open of the season in the Tickhill Velo Club 10

Scratch rider Adam Duggleby (Almerico Vive Le Velo) could also have stiff competition in the form of hill climber Adam Kenway (Vitus Pro Cycling).

Reigning National 25 and Circuit Champion, Christopher Fennell (The Independent Pedaler-Nopinz) will also be stretching his legs for the first time this year in the Medway Velo Club 10.

He starts as scratch man on the Q10/1 out and back course in Kent where he could be challenge by Ryan Christensen (HuntBikeWheels.com) and long distanced specialist Neil Lauder (Arctic Aircon RT).

A field of 175 riders are down to start the Coventry CC 10 using the K11/10T course near Rugby.

Scratch rider Mark Jones (Drag2Zero) has clocked an 18-minute 10 and will have to be on fine form to take victory.

Matthew Bottrill (Team Bottrill) finished third in the VTTA 50 two weeks ago and won over the same course last year clocking 19-05.

Meanwhile youngsters Oliver Peckover (ActiveEdge Race Team), Thomas Day (Zannata Galloo Team) and Robert Gibbons (Race Rapid) could threat the podium places.

The women’s field has 31 riders down to start and is set to see an intriguing battle.

April Tacey (Drops Cycling) took two victories in the Virtual Tour De France recently and takes to the start line in Warwickshire.

She will face stiff opposition from reigning Hill Climb Champion Hayley Simmonds (AeroCoach) who won the women’s event at …a3crg Glorious Goodwood Circuit last month.

Alice Lethbridge (Drag2Zero) will also be targeting her first open victory of the season.

Down in Norfolk on Sunday the fast men will also do battle in the East District Cycling Association 10.

Fourth place finisher in last season’s National 10, William Perrett (AeroLab Ward Wheelz) will be targeting victory in his first open event since the Championships last August.

He will face opposition in the form of fellow late starters Lloyd Chapman (Loose Cannon’s Conditioning), Matthew Senter (Peterborough CC) and Jason Bouttell (Team Vision Racing- Silverhook).

Bouttell is also due to line up as scratch rider in Saturday’s Essex Roads 24 on a point to point loop near Maldon.

After winning the South Eastern RC 10 last weekend Jennifer George (Memorial-Santos) leads the women’s field.

Prior to heading to Cumbria on Sunday the previous day Bigham is scratch rider in the Nova Raiders 10 in Shropshire.

He could be pushed for the win by local under-23 rider George Mills-Keeling (Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling) and Grant Bigham (VeloRunner RT).

After puncturing last weekend Anna Docherty (Team Breeze) will be hoping for better fortune in what could be an intriguing battle with Lowden.

Finally, veteran Conrad Moss (Primera-Teamjobs) will be the rider to beat in the Mid-Devon CC 25 on the South West coast.

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