Kick-starting the time trial season in the Central District, the Coalville Wheelers 10 has attracted a strong field of 81 riders with a good spread of time trial and road bike machines in action.

Taking place mainly on unclassified roads, the event sees competitors complete a 10-mile loop starting and finishing near Osgathorpe.

The course records will take some beating as Dan Bigham (18-46) and Hayley Simmonds (21-45) hold the current benchmarks.

Scratch rider Cian Leveridge (Team PB Performance) is favourite to win the open event, as predicted by Spindata in a forecasted winning time of 22-18.

Leveridge is targeting his first open victory after finishing on the podium three times last season.

Veterans Phil Land (Velo6 Racing) and Kevin Wood (Sherwood CC) are predicted to battle out the road bike category with just 24 seconds between them in Spindata predictions.

The women’s event will see the likes of Hayley Moore (Ilkeston CC), Evgeniya Righini-Brand (Spalding CC) and road bike competitor Peggy Simpkins (Banbury Star Cyclists' Club) compete for honours.

Also taking place on Saturday afternoon is the Chester RC 15 which has attracted a keen field of 66 starters.

Starting in Cheshire competitors head down the A534 across for a loop around Wrexham Industrial Estate before the returning leg.

A test of early season form is expected with the top four riders separated by 47 seconds on Spindata predictions.

Steven Fidler (Velo6 Racing) has the quickest predicted time of 32-12 but will compete on his road bike.

Kieran Morris (Total Tri Training) and Toby Williams (Velotik Racing Team) are expected to be closely matched, while Wrexham-based Ben Goodwin (Fibrax Fenwicks Wrexham CC) will hope his local knowledge will prove key.

The women’s event could see a close battle with Frances Owen (Fibrax Fenwicks Wrexham CC) and Keri Parton (Team Bottrill) both opening their campaigns.

In South Wales the Cardiff 100 Miles RCC takes place on an out and back course of the A40 between Abergavenny and Raglan.

A close finish is expected with veterans Peter Lindfield (Velotik Racing Team), Daniel Wyatt (Hereford & Dist Wheelers) and Tim Radley (Gloucester City CC) expected to be separated by just two seconds.

Women’s National 12-hour Champion Kim Barfoot-Brace (Team Bottrill) starts her campaign in the South Wales event and faces competition from Roxy Woodfield (Ludlow Brewery RT) amongst others.

Taking to the hills on an early season test is expected in the Rossendale RC taking place on the Bolton by Bowland Circuit.

The following day Alex Dowsett (Nopinz) is scratch rider and hotly favoured in the North Road CC hardriders event over 25 miles in Hertfordshire.

A mixture of road bike and time trial machines will compete for honours in the Redhill CC event over 18 miles.

Concluding the weekend’s events is the Bath Cycling Club 20-mile hardriders event, which will be another one to blow out the winter cobwebs.

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