News & Features

Riders across the country are on the hunt for strong performances as they bid to secure fast qualifying times towards the British Best All-Rounder (BBAR) competition.

Nine events this weekend give competitors the chance to secure fast times towards the competition, which challenges riders to collect fast performances over two or three distances.

The men’s three-distance event asks for times to be recorded over 50 miles, 100 miles and 12 hours, while the women’s competition is over 25, 50 and 100 miles.

There are also categories for junior boys and girls, who must complete at least two 10-mile and two 25-mile rides.

Chris Gibbard (Bynea CC) starts as favourite for the win at the Welsh 100-Mile Championships according to national ranking system Spindata, with Anthony Jones (VMCC) and Mike Skidmore (Cheltenham & County CC) also expected to challenge for a podium spot.

Also among Sunday’s six BBAR events is the Veterans TTA North Lancs and Lakes 50 in Cumbria, with Simon Wilson (Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling) fastest rider on paper.

Hawick CC rider Liam Beaty and junior Patrick Casey (Team Lifting Gear Products) are also expected to post fast times, as well as Dougie Watson (GTR Return to Life), David Parkin (Chorley CC), Alex Royle (Manchester BC) and Tom Thornley (Buxton CC).

Lizi Brooke (Wahoo Le Col) is likely to win the women’s event, while veteran Deborah Moss (Springfield Financial) and Joanna Cebrat (Bury Clarion) are also entered.

Elsewhere High Ercal in Shropshire is the venue for the Shropshire CCA and West Cheshire TTCA 100 on Sunday, while the Southend Wheelers 50 near Chelmsford in Essex is also a BBAR event.

And over the shorter distance of 25 miles, it’s the Reading CC 25 and Cleveland Police 25, which doubles up as the Emergency Services Championships, just like the 10-mile title race on Saturday.

The Finsbury Park CC 50 on Saturday in Cambridgeshire sees Chris McNamara (Nuun-Sigma Sport) likely to take the win, while brother Simon McNamara (HuntBikeWheels.com) is also down to ride as well as Ross Clarke (TMG Horizon) as well as newly-crowned national champion Kate Allen (Team Bottrill).

And Yorkshire Cycling Federation are also holding a 50-miler on Saturday which counts towards the BBAR.

Darlington CC’s Marcel Shubert is expected to be fastest, while Gavin McCloskey-Lambert (Manchester Wheelers) is targeting a podium finish.

Saturday also sees Goodwood circuit in West Sussex holding the a3crg Glorious Goodwood events, incorporating the Veterans South Closed Circuit Championships with categories for time trial bikes, road bikes, juniors, youths and heritage cycles of pre- and post-1992 machines.

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