Some of the quickest riders from across the country will be refining their form this weekend ahead the National Circuit Championship and Merlin Cycles Classic Series final round.

There is expected to be a fierce battle of the roads of Nottinghamshire on Saturday at the VTTA East Mids 25 – just eight days out from the Circuit Championship.

Scratch rider Oliver Peckover (trainSharp) has won all four of his individual open events this season and is predicted by Spindata to post a 47-01 over the out and back course along the A46.

However, he faces tough opposition from the quickly improving George Peden (Team PB Performance) who is set to compete in his first open 25-mile event of the season.

Veteran Susan Semple (Legato Racing Team) will be the final woman starter after winning the Stafford RC 10 two weeks earlier, while the formidable Newbury Velo pair of Rachael Elliott and Ian Greenstreet compete in the tandem category.

Ready for battle over a longer distance in Hampshire the …A3crg 50 has attracted a stellar field with Paul Burton (Paceline RT) having the honour of being scratch rider.

Burton showed his form by finishing third in last weekend’s ECCA 50 and is favourite to take victory with Spindata predicting his time to be 1-38-21 – 40 seconds clear of his nearest rival.

He will face a tough battle with Simon McNamara (Sigma Sports | Cannondale RT) and Liam Maybank (Twickenham CC) amongst his challengers.

Fresh from being part of the winning National Team Time Trial Championship team last month Alex Clay (Team Bottrill) is ready to test herself over 50 miles for the first time in 2023.

Clay, aged 27, finished runner-up in the National 50-mile Championship in 2021 and returns after competing in just one open event last season.

She faces tough opposition as last season’s fourth placed finisher in the National 50, Lizi Brooke (Wahoo Le Col), makes her first open appearance of the season.

Also amongst the women’s field is Emma O’Toole (Districts of Hamwic Cyclesport) who proved her strength by taking victory in the Hounslow & District Whs 100 last weekend.

A packed field are set to compete in the Chester Road Club 25 on Sunday over an out and back course in Shropshire.

Sean Mullen (Richardsons-Trek RT) will start as scratch rider having won the Birkenhead North End 22 earlier this season in 43-54 – an average speed of over 30 miles per hour.

Grant Bigham (HUUB WattShop) comes into the event fresh from winning the Stafford RC 10 in 20-17 and will provide tough competition.

Spindata predicts that Mullen will get the better of his rival with a finishing time of 49-58.

Lucy Morley (Velotik Racing Team) heads into the women’s event full of confidence after wins on her last two open event outings.

Veteran Deb Hutson-Lumb (Wrekinsport CC) has also been on form in long-distance events and will be amongst her challengers.

There is also a strong road bike entry for the 25-mile event which will see Karl Moseley (Droitwich Cycling Club) start as last man.

In the North-East the GTR Return To Life P/B StreamLine 10 will see riders battle in out for honours on the A189 near Blyth.

Fresh from winning last weekend’s round of the Merlin Cycles Classic Series veteran Marcel Schubert (Darlington Cycling Club) starts as scratch rider looking for a seventh open victory of the season.

He faces competition from the likes of Lewis Wake (Team Kirkley Cycles), Keith Murray (Vector Racing) and Philip Kennell (GS Metro).

Spindata predicts a close finish with Jonathan Dorward (Army Cycling) coming out on top in 18-55.

Joanna Rea (Team Kirkley Cycles) will be looking to add another win to her collection in the women’s event, while Tom Guy (Sunderland Clarion) starts last in the road bike category.

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