THE first national title of the season will be up for grabs this weekend when riders head to Cotswolds for the National 100 Mile Championships.

After winning the event for the last two seasons Marcin Bialoblocki is absent opening the door for his rivals to clinch the title.

Scratch rider Adam Duggleby (Almerico Vive Le Velo) missed last year’s championship event but finished third in 2018 and will be looking to go two better on Sunday.

Last season’s silver and bronze medallists Adam Wild (GS Metro) and Arthur Franklin (Fulfil the Potential Racing) are both due on the start-line and will have their sights on victory.

An earlier starter who will be of interest is Travis Bramley (Plymouth Corinthian CC) with the former triathlete, who won the Coventry 10 last weekend, taking part in his first open 100.

The women’s field with 25 riders on the start sheet will also be undefended with last year’s winner Vicky Gill and runner-up Alice Lethbridge both absent.

Reigning National 50 champion Emma Lewis (The Independent Pedaler-Nopinz) will be having her first crack at the 100 distance in an open.

The U84/100 sees riders compete between the towns of Royal Wootton Bassett, Malmesbury, Tetbury and Cirencester.

National champions jerseys will for the first time be provided by Kalas, who are offering all 2020 champions a 50 per cent discount off a skinsuit in the new design.

To discuss further please contact Andrew Crocker on 07736 346501 or andrew.crocker@kalas.co.uk quoting “RTTC National Champions 2020 Offer” or go to www.kalas.co.uk

Elsewhere, over the shorter 25-mile distance a field of 125 riders are due to start the Sherwood CC 25 on Saturday afternoon in Nottinghamshire.

Team Bottrill team-mates Geoff Platts and Matthew Bottrill will be the final two riders away on the out and back route.

William Perrett (AeroLab Ward Wheelz) will provide tough opposition after winning the East District CA 10 last weekend and George Mills-Keeling (Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling) will also provide a threat.

After completing a double last weekend over 10-mile events Dan Bigham (Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling) will take some beating in the CC Breckland 50 on the out and back circuit down the A11 in South Norfolk.

The ECCA 10 on Saturday will see Alice Lethbridge (Drag2Zero) head a women’s field of 40 riders which includes Jennifer George (Memorial-Santos).

The out and back course along the A11 will be the battleground for an intriguing men’s race with 138 riders on the start list.

Veteran Simon Wilson (Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling) returns to the L1015 where he clocked a 17-57 last weekend and goes off as scratch rider in the Wigan Whls 10.

Alexander Royle (Manchester Bicycle Club) could again provide a threat after finishing 31 seconds down on Wilson last weekend on the fast out and back Cumbria course.

Royle will return to the area the following day when he is scratch rider in the Wigan Whls 30, which uses two laps of a tougher version of the same course.

Under-23 Zachary Herrod (AeroLab Ward Wheelz) will be looking to improve on his third-place last weekend in the Diss & District CC 25 on Sunday.

Junior rider Oliver Stockwell (Flamme Rouge CT) will also be keen to impress but both will have to beat Lloyd Chapman (Loose Cannon’s Conditioning) amongst others.

After being beaten into second last weekend Lee Frost (NOPINZ Symec Race Team) will have his eyes on victory in the City Cycle Couriers RT 10 between Ashburton and Buckfastleigh.

However, he will have to see off the challenge by road rider Frederick Scheske (Vitus Pro Cycling) who will be taking on his first open of the campaign and Blake Pond (AeroCoach).

Simon McNamara will be hoping for his second open win of the season in the Bec CC 50, but he will have to fend of the challenge of Christopher McNamara (Nuun-Sigma-Sport-London-RT).

After being narrowly beaten last weekend Thomas Hutchinson (Team Kirkley Cycles) will be the watched rider in the Barnesbury CC 10 which takes place on the North East coast near Blyth.

Michael Gill (AeroLab Ward Wheelz) could provide tough competition for the win after an impressive ride at the Coventry 10 last weekend.

Finally, the closed circuit of Mallory Park Racing Circuit hosts the Race Rapid 10 on Sunday when Mills-Keeling will be targeting victory.

* All reports are copyright of Cycling Time Trials/Snowdon Sports. Not to be used without permission. BG