Defending champion Kate Allen (Team Bottrill) will be aiming to take the National 50-Mile Championship crown once again this Sunday, when Southend Wheelers host the title race near Chelmsford in Essex.

The 38-year-old faces some stiff competition though, with Hayley Simmonds (AWOL O’Shea) returning to action after surgery which meant she missed most of the 2022 season.

Simmonds recently beat Allen in North Yorkshire by just 12 seconds, and with their respective personal best times just 37 seconds apart, a close-run thing is expected again.

And in the men’s race John Archibald (HUUB-WattShop) is Spindata’s pre-race favourite, but also due to ride is former World Tour professional Alex Dowsett (Nopinz) making a welcome return to domestic time trialling in his home county.

Others of note include James Jenkins (Richardsons-Trek) as well as Oliver Peckover (trainSharp), while Jake Sargent (Team Bottrill) could also challenge for the podium.

The event incorporates the Norman Wells Trophy which annually goes to the winner of the Southend Wheelers 50, while the Founders Cup will be presented to the fastest rider from the promoting club.

Norman Wells was the club’s president, chairman and treasurer between 1948-62, despite rumoured to have never ridden a bike!

It’s a busy weekend of time trialling across the country, with the Welsh 100-Mile Championships taking place in Monmouthshire on Sunday.

Top seed on Spindata is Bynea CC veteran Chris Gibbard, who was a non finisher last year but won the title in 2021, while defending champion Anthony Jones (VMCC powered by Y Beic) and Owen Burgess (UF Rowe & King) are also expected to be pushing for the podium.

Defending women’s champion Roxy Woodfield (Ludlow Brewery RT) is again expected to be top female according to Spindata.

Also over 100 miles is the Shropshire CCA and West Cheshire TTCA event near High Ercall in Shropshire, which incorporates the VTTA National Championships.

David Williams (Velotik RT) is expected to be fastest there, while Alex Royle (Manchester BC) and David Parkin (Velotik RT) are also expected to be up there in the result, while fastest female according to Spindata should be Joanna Cebrat (360cycling).

VC Cumbria are holding a 25-mile event near Cockermouth on Sunday, with GTR-Return to Life veteran Dougie Watson tipped to take the win with Brother UK’s Rachel Brown the pick of the female entrants.

In-form Nic Fennell (Thanet RC) is Spindata’s tip for the win at the Kent CA 25, while Stuart Hourigan (VeloRefined Rule 5) could also feature. Fennell is also expected to do well at Saturday’s Finsbury Park CC 50-mile event in Cambridgeshire, while Liam Maybank (Twickenham CC) will push him all the way. Emily Robertson (Bedfordshire Road CC) should be fastest female on her road bike.

Also on Saturday it’s the VC Bristol 25 in Gloucestershire, and the Witham Wheelers 25 in Lincolnshire.

Check back to the CTT website and social media feeds for reports on events as the weekend progresses!

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