Weekend Preview, Mar 10-11

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AFTER virtually all time trials were snowed off last weekend, hopefully we will see a good number of time trials taking place across the country this weekend – and we have some great competition in prospect.

James Gullen.

The Circuit of Ingleborough takes place in North Yorkshire, promoted by Pendle Forest CC on Saturday.

Run over the usual 27 miles, the event has attracted 2017 winner and course record holder James Gullen back for more. The JLT Condor rider will be aiming to lower the record still further having clocked an impressive 59.21 for the challenging course last year.

Having held the record from 1988 to 2015, Gethin Butler is back to ride. And the promoting club’s own Richard Bideau and James Atkinson will perhaps be targeting the team prize. Green Jersey RT rider Hamish Graham – perhaps better known for his road racing – could be one to watch too.

And in the women’s event, names to watch include Carol Westmorland (Border City Wheelers) and Karen Poole (Sportstest RT).

Dean Robson.

In Somerset, the Gillingham and District Wheelers are holding a 19-mile test near Bruton, with some good names down to ride.

Dean Robson (Northover VT) is the last man off, while Tavis Walker (VC Walcot) and Tony Chapman (Frome and District Wheelers) could challenge too. And among the woman is the prolific Joanne Jago (Performance Cycles) as well as Joanna Knight (Bristol South CC).

Sunday morning sees the East Surrey Hardriders 29.9-mile event run by Dorking CC. More than 100 riders have entered including Pat Wright (Paceline RT), Liam Maybank (Twickenham CC), Jamie Pine (Nuun-Sigma Sport).

Angela Carpenter.

Of the six women who have entered Angela Carpenter (a3crg) looks a good bet for the win, although Twickenham CC’s Mathilde Pauls is also down to ride as well as Jacintha Hamilton-Love (Dulwich Paragon CC).

For those who prefer a more standard distance, the Lee Valley 25 on the E1 course at Ugley in Essex has attracted a good field which includes Stuart Travis (Team Bottrill-Vanguard) as well as James Hayden (Rapha CC) and Ross Clarke (TMG Horizon).

Elsewhere CC Sudbury hold a 22-mile time trial near Lavenham in Suffolk on Sunday, while there is a two-up 25 on the fast Rhigos course in South Wales, held by the Port Talbot Wheelers.