A tough start to the season greets riders heading to Cumbria for the Border City Wheelers 13.5-mile event on the High Hesket course on Sunday.

Those from both sides of the Scottish border will been keen to test their winter training with an intriguing contest expected on the out and back A6 course between Carlisle and Penrith.

Douglas Watson (GTR - Return to Life p/b Streamline) won nine events last season and starts as scratch man.

However, he faces a big challenge from minute-man Lewis Wake (Team Kirkley Cycles) and Chris Smart (GTR - Return to Life p/b Streamline) who were both regular winners last season.

In the women’s event Carol Westmorland (Border City Whls CC) and Jan Scotchford (North Lancashire Road Club) will be competing for honours.

Those looking for a hilly test have a range of options across the UK this weekend with the Hainault RC 50-kilometre event taking place near Epping on the outskirts of north-east London.

James Jenkins (Richardsons-Trek RT) finished fifth in the National Closed Circuit Championships last season and starts as scratch man.

He will face competition from team-mate Aaron Freeman (Richardsons-Trek RT) and Matthew Clements (Kuwait Pro Cycling Team) who will be hoping to better his third placed finish at the North Road CC hardriders event last weekend.

Under-23 rider Elspeth Grace (Welwyn Wheelers) won the women’s North Road event over 22 miles last weekend and will be hoping to double her open time trial winning tally.

A small but quality field are set to compete in the Kettering CC event over a 20-mile loop between Kettering, Thrapston and Corby.

George Fox (George Fox Cycling Solutions) will face competition in the form of Oliver Hurdle (Stolen Goat Race Team) and junior Jude Chamberlain (Z Junior Race Team).

Sophie Lee (Team Catenary) starts as last woman but will have to see off the challenge of host club riders Maria Gent and Bethany Spencer.

Ollie Hucks (Saint Piran) won six events last season and he begins his campaign at the Maidenhead & District CC 29.5-mile event near High Wycombe with a long climb to the finish.

John Mulvey (UpShift Nutrition Race Team) and Pat Wright (Paceline RT) could be amongst his challengers while Kate Allen (Team Bottrill) and Anastasia Bowler (AS Test Team) meet in the women’s event.

Those looking to set a benchmark time to begin their seasons are heading to Farnborough & Camberley 10 on Saturday.

Multiple national veteran champion Angela Carpenter (...a3crg) is set to begin her campaign but will have to beat team-mate Virginia McGee amongst others in the women’s event.

Fellow veteran Alan Murchison (Drag2Zero) will be targeting the men’s event but will have to beat the likes of Simon McNamara (HuntBikeWheels.com) and youngster Harry Ives (trainSharp Development Team) in a strong field of 65 riders.

* All reports and features are copyright of Cycling Time Trials/Snowdon Sports. Not to be used without permission. Words by Ben Goddard.