The Independent Pedaler-Nopinz duo Chris Fennell and Jennifer George start as favourites at the National Circuit Championships in Buckinghamshire on Sunday, which also doubles up as the final round of the Merlin Cycles Classic Series and is promoted by London North DC.

Fennell is the defending champion and comes into the event hoping to bag national title number two for the season after winning last weekend’s National 25, while Jennifer George will be hoping to improve on the third spot she secured in the women’s category at the same event.

He can expect to be pushed all the way by a field which includes Ollie Hucks (Saint Piran), George Fox (George Fox Cycling Solutions) and evergreen vet Richard Oakes (Team Ohten Aveas).

Behind Jennifer George, other names to watch in the women’s field according to national ranking system Spindata include Lilly Chant (Southampton Univ RC) and Laura Davies (Orwell Velo).

The 28-mile course begins near Mentmore and heads in an anti-clockwise circuit through Wingrave, Long Marston, Cheddington and back.

Elsewhere Dougie Watson (GTR Return to Life) is the pre-race favourite to win in Scottish 100-Mile Championships, staged by Dundee Thistle near Forfar.

His team-mate Sandy Taylor is also forecast to challenge for a podium spot, alongside Basel Razouk (Torvelo Racing), while Christina Murray (Army Cycling) is the hot favourite for the women’s event.

The North Tyneside Riders 50 has attracted a good field, incorporating the Northumberland and District Championships. Marcel Shubert (Darlington CC) is predicted by Spindata to be fastest, with Lewis Wake (Team Kirkley Cycles) and Jay Pitt (Velo Culture) challenging for the podium.

The women’s category is due to be a close-run thing too with Louise Burnie (Blaydon CC) and Vicky Gibbs (Reifen Racing) among the top riders.

Further south in County Durham the Cleveland Wheelers sporting 25 sees Harry Tanfield (Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling) start as scratch man with a predicted 50-55, while Joe Wilson (Dolan Ellesse) and the promoting club’s Rob Carter also among the fast men.

Last year’s winner David Fellows (Solihull CC) is top seed at the Fibrax Wrexham Road Club hilly 24-mile event on the Horseshoe Pass from Llangollen to Ruthin and back.

Others to look out for include Alastair Ribbands (Congleton CC) and Ben Lloyd (Fibrax Wrexham RC) as well as team-mate Frances Owen in the women’s event.

In Norfolk it’s the Velouse Flyers 25-mile event near Great Bircham on Sunday, while the Didcot Phoenix host a 25 in Oxfordshire.

Saturday’s events include the Manchester and District TTA 50-mile event near Cranage in Cheshire where a close battle for the win is expected between Alex Royle (Lanchester BC), Tom Thornely (Buxton CC) and Alastair Ribbands (Congleton CC).

A healthy entry of 12 women is headed up by Jasmine Holmes (Univ of Manchester CC) and Joanna Cebrat (Bury Clarion) as well as Claire Harrison on Congleton CC.

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