The Cheshire Series has attracted a stellar field for its opening round on Saturday afternoon, one of many events this weekend.

Multiple national champion John Archibald is down to start as scratch man in the Manchester & District TTA 10 – which uses the A50 between Holmes Chapel and Knutsford.

Veteran rider David James Williams (Velotik Racing Team) won three open events last season and will provide a challenge, starting as Archibald’s minute man.

Alastair Ribbands (Congleton CC – MyWindsock) also tasted success last season across time trial and road bike events and will be hoping for a solid start to his campaign.

Total Tri Training team-mates Emma-Jane Bradfield and Laura Oldroyd are amongst the women’s field against the likes of the experienced Michelle Fairclough (Velotik Racing Team).

Steven Fidler (Velo6 Racing) has already tasted success this season in the road bike category but faces a tough challenge in the form of Casper Von Folsach (HUUB WattShop).

The event also contains the Manchester & District Time Trial Association juvenile and junior championships with some early silverware up for grabs.

A good field of riders will be hoping to set a benchmark 10-mile time for the season is the Northampton & District CA event.

Veteran Paul Pardoe (Peterborough CC) starts as scratch man for his first open event of the season.

He faces competition from Luke Clarke (TMG Horizon Cycling Team) who finished in the podium positions in each of his three open events last season.

Heading the road bike event is set to be George Fox (George Fox Cycling Solutions), while Diana Egerton-Warburton (Team Enable - M.I. Racing) starts her open campaign in the women’s event.

There are other chances for competitors to test their form over 10 miles on Saturday afternoon in the VC Sevale (Malvern) and VTTA (Kent Group) events.

The Hull Thursday Road Club hard riders event for two-up team time trial will provide a tough test over 24 miles with separate events for time trial and road bike machines.

Those living in the South West will have the opportunity to set a 10-mile benchmark time on Sunday in the Kernow Racing Team event out and back along the B3275 near Truro.

Spindata predicts a tough battle for victory between veteran riders Tom Scorer (Royal Navy & Royal Marines CA) and Tim McEvoy (FTP Fulfil the Potential RT).

Host club rider Alexander Boswell is predicted to take honours in a strong road bike event but could be challenged by Huw Greenish (Truro CC).

Meanwhile, Eve Sealy (Tri Logic Cornwall) will be looking to repeat her victory in the Kenrow Racing Team 10 earlier this month in the women’s event.

VC ST Raphael will be rerunning the Hard riders event which was cancelled due to flooding on the course. Pain on Portsdown Hill will see defending champion Chris McNamara (Sigma Sports Race Team) up against his brother Simon in the time trial category.

In the road bike category the fastest on paper is Howard Bayley (a3crg) who is up against Adrian Talley from hosting club Velo Club St Raphael.

Sunday brings about a host of events over various distances and terrains including the Hemel Hempstead CC 22, Southern Counties CU sporting 21, Banbury Star CC 21, Cleveland Wheelers CC sporting 21.7, Velotik RT 15, Port Talbot Wheelers CC 13, Maldon & District CC hilly 22, Border City Wheelers CC hilly 20.2 and Newmarket Cycling & Triathlon Club 7.5.

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