The battle for the Western TTA Hardriders title continues this weekend, with Swindon Wheelers and Swindon Road Club combining forces to organise their annual 27.5-mile event near Chippenham on Sunday.

The fourth qualifying event in the series, Sunday’s event takes place on the U871 near Upper Seagry and as attracted many of the early frontrunners in the popular series.

National ranking system Spindata has James Pittard (University of Bristol CC) down to take the win, adding to the two third-place finishes he has already bagged in the series this season.

Top veteran Tony Chapman (Frome and District Wheelers) will be gunning to improve on the second place he secured at the Severn Road Club 12.2-mile event last month, while William Haynes and Harry Walton, both of Cheltenham and County CC), won’t be too far behind.

Former National 24-Hour Championship winner Christina Murray (Army Cycling) is down to ride and could well prove effective over this shorter distance, while other women in the Swindon event include Corinne Clark (Swindon Wheelers) and Joanne Jago (Performance Cycles).

Elsewhere – weather permitting - junior talent Patrick Casey (Team Lifting Gear Products) is expected to be fastest in the West Pennine Road Club’s hilly 14.6-mile event on Saturday near Knowle Green in Lancashire.

Spindata predicts he will be fastest by around 30 seconds with wily veterans Richard Bideau (Pendle Forest CC), Carl Potter (Tactic Sport UK RT) and Tony Cullen (Tri Central UK) will battle for the podium too. Jadan-Vive le Velo talent Louise Scupham should be fastest female.

Jake Sargent (Team Bottrill) is expected to be fastest at the University of Bristol CC 10 in Gloucestershire on Sunday, but Tom Biggs (Cheltenham & County CC) and Nick English (AeroCoach) should be in the mix too.

The race for the women’s prize looks to be a close three-way battle between Josie Harcourt (Avid Sport), Nicki Carr (Fulfil the Potential Racing) and Emma Wyatt (Hereford and Dist Wheelers).

West Suffolk Wheelers and Tri Club have categories for road bikes and medium gear machines for their 21-mile event near Risby in Suffolk on Saturday.

The battle for TT machine glory looks to be between Jordan Black (West Suffolk Wheelers) and Alex Purcell (CC Sudbury), with Sophie Holmes (Saint Piran) the only female entered and likely to challenge most of the men.

Other events to look out for include Saturday’s Hart Performance Coaching Spring Classic over the 10-mile Leaden Roding course in Essex which also includes a road bike categories.

Tim Torrie (trainSharp) is the fastest rider on paper, while William Taylor (Go Fast Turn Left) and Sam Brown (6AM Cycling) will also challenge for the podium, and Laura Davies (Jadan Vive le Velo) looks likely to be fastest female.

Wightlink-Wight Mountain RT are holding a three-up 25-kilometre event on the Isle of Wight on Sunday, while there’s also a two-up over 25 miles near Resolven, promoted by Port Talbot Wheelers.

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