THE fourth round of the Merlin Cycles Classic Time Trial Series sees riders descend on Penrith as competition hots up around the Circuit of the Greystoke Forest in the Border City Wheelers event.

The men’s field will complete two laps of the 14-mile course and will be headed by course record holder Dan Bigham (Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling).

 The 29-year-old, from Stone in Staffordshire, makes the long trip to Cumbria looking to repeat his win from 2019.

However, he will face tough opposition from team-mate James Shaw who beat Bigham in the Leicestershire Road Club road bike event over 27.2 miles.

Leon Wright (Race Hub) is looking to target the overall series after finishing second in the first round and eighth in the second round – with the third round postponed until July.

Four events from the six count for the overall series.

The women’s time trial event could also throw up an interesting contest with Jessica Rhodes-Jones and Sarah Storey (Storey Racing) due to go head-to-head.

Rhodes-Jones placed third in the last round so could also be looking at overall honours while Storey makes her series debut having won the Coalville Wheelers 10 and …a3crg Glorious Goodwood Circuit 11.8 events.

In the veteran’s event Craig Horseman (Beacon Wheelers) who won the Border City Whs hilly 33 last weekend will face against Ben Harrison (Crimson Orientation Marketing RT) who won the Barrow Central Wheelers 21.

Alastair McNicol (Dooleys RT) starts as scratch rider in the road bike event after placing third in the Border City Whs CC hilly 33 on the Caldbeck Circuit last weekend.

B Xavier Disley (AeroCoach) placed fifth at the last round of the series and could have his eyes on the overall series in the road bike event.

After placing first road bike woman in the last round Rebecca Richardson (Team Brother UK) looks to continue her perfect record in this latest round.