Many riders keen to set an early benchmark for the season or a personal best time are heading to Essex this weekend for the Hart Performance Coaching Spring Classic 10.

The out and back event on the single-carriageway A1060 takes place early on Saturday morning near Leaden Roding with 116 riders on the startsheet.

Ian Hope (Team Solo Vinci) won the VTTA National 50 Mile Championship last season and starts as scratch rider having recorded a 10-mile time of 18-43 in 2021.

Among his challengers will be Timothy Torrie (TBW23 Stuart Hall Cycling p/b Trainsharp) and Keith Dorling (Team Bottrill) who finished third in the CC Breckland 10 last weekend in 22-10.

The women’s field is also a competitive one with 17 riders headed by Louise Robinson (Essex Roads CC) who clocked a season-best time of 21-14 on the E2/10 last season.

Amongst her competitors is host rider Helen Barrell along with Lara Thomas (Stowmarket & District CC).

Also taking place on Saturday morning is the University of Bristol Cycling Club 10 on the U7b near Dursley in Gloucestershire.

Oscar Hutchings (Team Tor 2000 | KALAS) is set to begin his season and he won the University of Bristol Cycling Club 10 on the same course in June last year recording a time of 19-44.

Nicki Carr (FTP RC) finished third on her last outing on the U7b in 23-40 and starts as last woman.

After finishing third on his first outing of the season David Griffiths (Oswestry Paragon CC) starts as last man in the Manchester & District TTA 10 which is also the opening round of the Cheshire points series.

Veteran Lucy Rogers (Congleton CC) was runner-up on the same course last weekend clocking 25-19 and will look to go one better in the women’s event.

However, she will have to beat young Maddie Leech (CAMS Racing) who finished second in the juniors National Circuit Championship last term.

Team-mates will be going head-to-head in the City RC (Hull) two-up team time trial over 25 miles.

Vive Le Velo riders Ed Neilson and Steve Burrows start as scratch riders but face tough opposition in the form of John Brearley (Squadra RT) and David Brearley (Chapeau! Vive Le Velo).

A testing 23.5 miles awaits those taking on the Banbury Star CC event on Sunday with 45 riders due to take the start.

David Fellows (Solihull CC) won the Matlock CC 25 last weekend and starts as scratch man.

Amongst his challengers will be Josh Newbould (Banbury Star Cyclists' Club) and Simon Dighton (Beacon Roads CC) amongst others.

In the women’s category Lydia Watts (AWOL O’Shea Worx) takes on Naomi De Pennington (Banbury Star Cyclists' Club) amongst others.

The formidable pairing of Philip Tucker and Christopher Gibbard (Bynea Cycling Club) start as the last pairing in Sunday’s Port Talbot Wheelers two-up 25-mile event.

The host club will be amongst those challenging for victory with Rhys Lloyd and Dan Male their final pairing.

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