News & Features

The Merlin Cycles Classic Time Trial Series heads to Scotland on Sunday, with Edinburgh Road Club hosting the Tour of the Meldons over a 25-mile course near Peebles.

Scotland’s own John Archibald (HUUB-WattShop) will be aiming to win his third consecutive round of the series with a win which could strengthen his ambitions for the overall title.

But in other categories it is still all to play for.

Round one winner Jennifer George (HUUB WattShop) is down to ride in Scotland having missed the last two rounds, while in the veterans category Richard Sharp (ADDFORM Vive le Velo) is looking to add a third qualifying ride and strengthen his title goals.

However, he will have a challenge on his hands from GTR Return to Life duo Chris Smart and Marc Anderson, who are both riding the series for the first time this season. Anderson won the Tour of the Meldons in 2022, when it wasn’t part of the Merlin Cycles Series.

And in the road bike category Chris Booth (Giant Kendal Sidas) and Sharon Bird (Peebles CC) are expected to take victories according to Spindata.

Starting just south of Eddleston, the course takes riders on an anti-clockwise loop through some spectacular scenery.

Also boasting some fine scenery is the Circuit of the New Forest, being promoted by New Forest CC in Hampshire on Sunday.

The 33-mile event has Andrew Rivett (VC St Raphael) down as pre-race favourite, with Steven Pink (Poole Wheelers) and Nigel Pratt (VC St Raphael) also tipped to push for the podium.

Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers’ Naomi Shinkins is expected to be fastest female on a time trial bike, while in the road bike category Sien Van der Plank (New Forest CC) won’t be much slower than Shinkins.

Top men on road bikes include another VC St Raphael rider Matthew Buckley, with Dave Dent (GS Stella) and Malcolm Cox (VC St Raphael) also expected to do well.

At the other end of the country, the Stockton Wheelers sporting 23-mile event in County Durham has attracted reigning British Best All-Rounder Marcel Schubert (Darlington CC) as well as Mark Wolstenholme (VTTA Yorkshire).

Other events on Sunday to look out for include the Westerley CC 10 near Marlow in Buckinghamshire, the Penzance Wheelers 25 in Cornwall and the Derwentside CC 40-miler in Northumberland where in-form David Fellows (Solihull CC) is tipped to win again following victory at the Shap climb last weekend.

Saturday’s events include the Dukinfield CC 50-mile event in Cheshire, where David Parkin (Velotik RT) and Alex Royle (Manchester BC) are the top two according to Spindata, while Team Bottrill’s Emily Martin is expected to be fastest female.

Yorkshire Coast Clarion are holding a 19.6-mile event in the Yorkshire Wolds, with last year’s winners Ellen Messingham and Darren Yarwood both returning. However, Spindata is tipping Toby Williams (Velotik RT) and Molly Savill (Albarosa CC) to prove fastest this time.

And over in Worcestershire AeroCoach are hosting the Midlands Road Bike Championships over a 15-mile course near Welland, with Tom Biggs (Cheltenham & County CC) and James McKay (Cycling Sheffield) expected to battle.

Meanwhile, after proving fastest at round three of the Merlin Cycles Series last month Celia Brown (Elevate RT) is tipped to be fastest in the women’s category at the AeroCoach event. But keep an eye out for Gabriella Homer (Saint Piran) too.

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