PREVIEWS: September 2-3

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The quickest riders across the country will compete for national honours again this weekend in the RTTC National 10-Mile Championships.

Last season’s national 10-mile men’s title winner John Archibald (WattShop) crushed his competition last season and travels to the out and back Northumberland course to defend his crown.

George Peden
George Peden

Despite coming into the event as Spindata favourite Archibald’s current form over 10 miles is unknown having last raced an open event in May - winning the Border City Wheelers 28.

Former World Tour professional Alex Dowsett (Nopinz) makes the trip north having finished runner-up in the National 100-mile Championship last month and winning the Hart Performance Coaching Summer Classic 10 in 19-17.

After winning last week’s National 25-mile Championship George Peden (Team PB Performance) could also challenge for victory after clocking 18-02 in the Sherwood CC 10 last month.

A stacked field also sees the likes of two-time 10-mile national champion Richard Bussell (AeroCoach), Michael Gill (HUUB WattShop) and Adam Duggleby (ADDFORM Vive Le Velo) who could all challenge for the title.

After recovering from a crash to win last weekend’s National 25 title defending 10 champion Kate Allan (Team Bottrill) is firm favourite to retain her crown on Saturday.

Alex Clay
Alex Clay

Allan recorded a time of 52-05 to win the National 25 last weekend but her form over 10 miles is unknown - having last ridden an open 10 in June.

Alex Clay (Team Bottrill) is also on the road to recovery from a crash but could challenge her team-mate for victory.

Veteran rider Sally Turner (HUUB WattShop) could also be amongst the challengers having clocked 20-48 to win the VTTA London & Home Counties 10 last month.

After also winning the National 25-mile Championship last weekend Patrick Casey (Anexo Group Race Team) will be aiming to win the junior event.

However, he faces tough competition from the likes of Alex Franks (VC de Londres) and Benedict Walker (Lee Valley Youth CC) amongst others.

In the junior girls’ event the likes of Maia Howell (Matlock CC), Freya Johnson (Gosforth RC) and Abbey Thompson (Stonham Barns Park – SYRT) are set to battle for honours.

The national 10 is being organised by Sharon Dyson on behalf of the Northumberland and Durham Cycling Association (N&DCA) with volunteers coming from across the district.

Former national champions Adam Wild and Danny Grieves will be doing the pushing off duties across the two days.

In Scotland a huge field of riders are set to compete for bragging rights in the Velopreda (Georgetown Cup) event over 7.1 miles.

Spindata predicts that Basil Monks (Edinburgh Road Club) will take the men’s honours in what is expected to be a closely fought event.

Christopher Gibbard
Christopher Gibbard

Keen to record a fast time also on Saturday the East Anglian VTTA 10 has attracted a bumper field on the F2A/10.

David Halliday (Team Bottrill) is expected to battle for victory with the likes of Jonny Allen (6AM Cycling) and Matt O’Brien (Loose Cannon's Conditioning).

The women’s event will see the likes of Deborah Beare (Icknield RC), Frances Lammyman (St Neots CC) and Diana Egerton-Warburton (Team Enable - M.I. Racing – McCann) battle for the win.

National honours will also be up for grabs on Sunday in the Welsh CA 12-hour Championship taking place in Monmouthshire and including a leg out to Hereford.

An epic battle could develop with Andy Critchlow (Paceline RT) forecasted to be favourite by Spindata just ahead of Christopher Gibbard (Bynea Cycling Club), Anthony Jones (VMCC powered by Y Beic) and a strong field of FTP (Fulfil The Potential) Race Team riders.

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