The ultimate endurance test will see 68 riders competing for honours in this weekend’s National 24 Hour Championships.

As in the previous two editions Mersey Roads will be hosting the championship event on the D24H course over different sections in Cheshire and Shropshire.

Last year’s event was cancelled due to Covid-19 so the title is up for grabs for the first time since 2019.

On that occasion veteran woman Christina Murray (Army Cycling) took victory covering a distance of 478.42 miles in the 24 hours.

The 44-year-old, from Glasgow, won the Interservices 21 last weekend in 56-25 and the Fife Century RC 50 last month, but will be tested over the much longer distance.

Long distance specialist Pip Jenkins (Southborough & Dist. Whs) finished third in 2019 and will be looking to improve on that position this time out.

Earlier this season Jenkins finished fourth in the Kent CA 100 clocking 4-15-59 and second in the East Sussex CA 50.

Veteran Joanna Cebrat (Bury Clarion CC) has also been in good form during recent weeks finishing a narrow second in the Dukinfield CC 50 last weekend recording a time of 2-08-48.

Meanwhile, Steph Mottram (Cliff Pratt Racing) could provide a surprise challenge having not ridden an open event since taking fourth in the 24 hour Championship in 2019.

In the men’s event Michael Broadwith (Arctic Aircon RT) starts as last man having finished second in the 2019 championship event and third in 2018.

However, Broadwith has not ridden an open event since the last championship event two years ago so his form is unknown.

A rider who has shown his form this season is Jonathan Shubert (FTP Fulfil The Potential Racing) who placed third in last weekend’s B.D.C.A 50 finishing in a time of 1-37-45.

Schubert was also third placed finisher in last season’s National 12 hour Championship.

Finally veteran Andrew Rivett (Velo Club St Raphael) could also challenge after coming close in the Wessex Road Club 50 event last month taking second in 1-49-57.

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