Preview 2/3 July

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Derbyshire is the place to be if you’re searching for quality riders and fast times on Saturday, as Belper BC promote their 25-mile event on the A25/11 course between Etwall and Uttoxeter.

The field of around 160 riders includes 41 women, and boasts some classy riders who will be chasing PBs as they head along the A50 to Uttoxeter in Staffordshire before looping back to Etwall.

Newly-crowned British TT Champion Hayley Simmonds (AeroCoach) will give her 2016 jersey an airing as she tackles the event

Angela Hibbs

Also gunning for the win will be National 50-Mile Champion Angela Hibbs (Fusion RT) who won the BDCA 50 last weekend on similar roads around Etwall.

And Anna Turvey (Tyneside Vagabonds CC) will be challenging for a podium, having already clocked an impressive 50.32 for a 25-mile TT this season.

Scratch rider in the men’s field is Stephen Irwin (North Lancs RC) who has ridden the A25/11 many occasions, recently clocking a 47-19 in the South Pennine RC 25 as he finished second on May to Philip Graves.

He tasted victory on the course just two weeks ago in the Walsall RC 25, where his slightly slower time of 47-25 was nevertheless good enough for the win.

He also had to settle for second in the BDCA 25 back in April, where Andy Jackson (SSLL Racing Team) took the win on a slightly slower day. Jackson is back again on Saturday, off number 150 to Irwin’s 160 slot.

In-form Adam Duggleby – the Secret Training CC rider who set a new national competition record for the tandem over ten miles along with Steve Bate – is down to ride at Etwall and could also prove a threat.

Elsewhere, Stephen Whitewick (VeloRefined-Aerosmiths) is down to ride the Hampshire RC 50 near Liss on Sunday, while James Copeland (Fareham RC) and Alex Napier (Blazing Saddles could challenge him).

Colin Ward (Essex Roads CC) is last man off in the Southend Wheelers 50 at North Fambridge in Essex, while others on the startsheet include Andrew Leggett (Team Velovelocity).

It remains to be seen if newly-crowned National 12-Hour Champion Danny Grieves (GS Metro) will start the Gosforth RC 25 at Stamfordham in Northumberland on Sunday. Grieves is also down to ride the Team Swift 10 on Friday evening, but may pull out after his exertions last Sunday!

And VC Cumbria’s 25-mile event on Sunday has pro road rider James Gullen (Pedal Heaven) as scratch man on the L2511 near Cockermouth.