There’s another bumper haul of time trials taking place over the Easter weekend, with the second round of the Merlin Cycles Classic Series taking centre stage in Derbyshire on Good Friday.

Using the popular J8/3 triangular circuit near Longnor in Staffordshire, the elite men take in three laps for a 33-mile distance while other categories cover the picturesque circuit twice.

Commonwealth Games silver medallist and all-round cycling ace John Archibald (HUUB WattShop) is the pre-race favourite in the time trial bike category, with his team-mates James Lowden and Will Lowden chasing glory too.

And in the women’s 22-mile category national 25-mile champion Kelly Murphy (AWOL O’Shea Worx) is down to ride.

This year’s popular Buxton CC-Sett Valley Cycles event is sponsored by Hotel Milano Helvetia in Italy, who are offering free stays for the winners of the men’s and women’s categories as well as discounts to all other competitors.

Elsewhere on Good Friday, it’s the Welwyn Wheelers hilly 50-kilometre event on roads north of Codicote in Hertfordshire.

Last year’s winner Josh Crow-Stewart (05/03) returns to defend his title, while he will be pushed all the way by Rob Walker (WardPerformanceUK.com), Luke Clarke (TMG Horizon) and Joel Stewart (Team Ohten Aveas).

Cambridge CC’s Elspeth Grace looks to be the fastest female, with veteran Karine Jones (Verulam Really Moving) also one to watch.

Crawley Wheelers are hosting a 41.6-mile event in Sussex with categories for both time trial and road bikes.

Chris McNamara (Sigma Sport-Cannondale) is tipped to win by Spindata, with Mattie Dodd (VC Londres) and Pat Wright (Paceline RT) also pushing for the win on time trial bikes, while Richard Cartland (HuntBikeWheels.com) and Martin Gibbs (Team TMC) are riding on road bikes.

Starting near Handcross, the event uses the GS/196 course which winds its way down towards Steyning and back.

Great Yarmouth CC are holding a Good Friday 10 too near Harleston in Norfolk, where Sam Asker (Richardsons-Trek is the top seed. Meanwhile Mark Richards (DAP CC) will be pushing for the win, alongside Loose Cannon’s Conditioning pair Matt O’Brien and Lloyd Chapman.

Of the women, Loose Cannon’s Conditioning pair Becky Ridge and Hannah O’Brien will be vying for the prize.

Easter Saturday sees a host of 10-mile events with Catford CC’s event near Tonbridge in Kent looking to be a close battle. Neil Harris (Southborough and District Wh) is top seed according to Spindata, while Simon McNamara (Sigma Sports-Cannondale) and Nic Fennell (Thanet RC) given the same predicted time.

FTP Racing are also holding a ten, on the popular U7b course near Stone in Gloucestershire.

Jake Sargent (Team Bottrill) will be going for the win, while Dean Robson (Caesarean CC Jersey) and Lawrence Martindale (Chippenham and District Wheelers) are among several riders also pushing for the win.

Also on Saturday, AIMS Cycling are hosting a hill climb on the 0.6-mile Kildale climb in North Yorkshire. In conjunction with Darlington CC a cash prize is on offer for the joint lowest time from this event and the recent Darlington hill climb.

Sunday’s events include the North Tyneside Riders 10 near Cramlington in Northumberland, while there is also Bynea CC’s 25-mile near Llandovery in South Wales as well as the VC Long Eaton 10 near Etwall in Derbyshire.

Brighton Mitre CC’s hilly 25 is one of five events on Easter Monday, including the Eastern Counties CA 25-Mile Championships near Cambourne where George Peden (Team PB Performance), Tim Torrie (trainSharp) and Alex Pritchard (HUUB WattShop) are among the favourites.

And also on Monday the Manchester BC 10 has attracted a good field including Sarah Storey (Storey Racing), Matthew Wales (Fibrax Wrexham RC), David Parkin (Velotik RT) and Alastair Ribbands (Congleton CC).

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