The picturesque Circuit of Greystoke Forest in the Lake District is the venue for the National Circuit Time Trial Championships on Sunday, where some of the best riders in the country will gather in search of glory.
Two laps of the 14-mile circuit will take them through glorious Cumbrian scenery, but they won’t have much chance to admire the view as they tackle the event organised by Border City Wheelers.
Reigning national 10-Mile champion Josh Charlton is pre-race favourite according to Spindata, while also ones to watch are Michael Gill (HUUB-WattShop) and Alex Dowsett (Nopinz).
The event also doubles up as the sixth and final round of the CTT Classic Series, and open category winner Ben Goodwin (Fibrax Fenwicks Wrexham CC) is down to ride the final round along with Will Lowden (Cambridge University CC).
The women’s category has also attracted riders from far and wide, with Sheffrec CC’s Joanna Brewis tipped to do well on her road bike, while Lauren Creamer (Velo Fixers) and Rachel Brown (Brother UK-Team OnForm) will prove good competition for Classic Series leader Keri Parton (Team Bottrill) who is aiming to wrap up her fourth qualifying ride and seal the title.
Elsewhere on Sunday it’s the West Cheshire TTCA 50-mile event near Prees in Shropshire, where a close battle is expected between in-form Hayley Wells (Wrekinsport CC) and Total Tri Training rider Laura Gray for top honours in the women’s category.
Among the men, David James Williams (Velotik RT) and George Elliott (Liverpool Century RC) are tipped for the top by Spindata.
Vive le Velo are hosting the VTTA National 12-Hour Championships near Melbourne in North Yorkshire with Lee Williams (FTP Fulfil the Potential Race Team), Alex Royle (Manchester BC) and Malcolm Cox (VC St Raphael) expected to among the best riders on scratch.
In South Wales it’s the Bynea CC 50-mile event near Llandovery, with Saint Piran’s Will Roberts and Chris Jones (FTP Fulfil the Potential Race Team) expected to slug it out.
WattShop are holding a two-stage weekend of events, with a 10-mile time trial on Saturday near Weston in Staffordshire and a 25-miler near Eccleshall on Sunday.
HUUB-WattShop team-mates Dan Bigham and John Archibald are the fastest two on paper, although youth rider Leon Atkins (258 Protégé) will be looking to gatecrash the senior podiums.
In the women’s category Sally Turner is flying the flag for HUUB-WattShop, while Team Bottrill’s Emily Martin could also take the win.
The weekend starts with the Horsham Cycling 10 on Saturday morning, along with the Cranbrook CC 10 in Devon. At the other end of the country it’s the VC Glasgow South 10 near Newton Mearns, while Melton Olympic and Elite CC also host 10-mile events in Nottinghamshire and Essex respectively.
Sunday’s other events include the Chichester City Riders 25 in Hampshire, as well as the Bath CC 25 in Somerset and the Wisbech Wheelers 25 in Norfolk, which is the East District Championship race.
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