News & Features

Devon hosts the National Circuit Championships over a scenic but challenging 25.5-mile course on Sunday, with some of the fastest riders from across the country competing for top honours.

Mid-Devon CC are hosting the event, which is sponsored by Kalas and also doubles up as the sixth and final round of the Merlin Cycles Classic Series.

The two-lap event near Modbury is also the Ken Robertson Memorial Event, marking around 50 years competing and organising bike races by a legend of the local cycling community.

Reigning national circuit champion Jennifer George (HUUB-WattShop) returns to defend her crown, while she is also set to secure the Merlin Cycles Ciassic Series title too.

Other women to watch out for include Lauren Creamer (Velo Fixers) and Laura Pittard (Brother UK-Team OnForm).

Team Bottrill’s in-form rider Jake Sargent is tipped to do well in the men’s category, as is HUUB-WattShop’s Will Lowden and Rob Walker (WardPerformanceUK.com) and George Fox (George Fox Cycling Solutions).

The paracyclists’ category in the Merlin Cycles Classic Series is going to go right down to this last event, with the top four riders in the overall standings all capable of winning depending on how each of the others fare.

Rik Waddon (Para-T) is in the driving seat, currently leading and knowing that first or second place will give him enough points to take the overall series.

But David Murphy (Liverpool Mercury CC) has won the last two rounds and could push Waddon for the win here, as well as Graeme Church (QN Racing) and Ben Hetherington (Ferryhill Wheelers).

In Nottinghamshire on Saturday it’s the Veterans TTA 50-Mile National Championships near East Stoke, where some of the country’s top over-40s will ride alongside some youngsters too (who aren’t eligible for the national titles).

Matt Bottrill (Team Bottrill) is expected to be the fastest on actual time by national ranking system provider Spindata, while Anthony Turner (Mickey Cranks CC) could also challenge. Of the women, look out for Deborah Moss (Springfield Financial RT) and Claire Emons (a3crg).

On Sunday Vive le Velo are promoting a 12-hour event in North Yorkshire on behalf of the Yorkshire DC. Darlington CC’s Marcel Schubert and Lee Williams (Fulfil the Potential Race Team) are among the top riders, as well as Ben Williams (Cliff Pratt Racing).

The Bynea CC 50-mile event near Llandovery has Josh Tarling (INEOS Grenadiers) making a rare appearance back on the UK racing scene. He’s expected to win by a long margin if he rides, while others to watch include Dylan Griffiths (Univ of Bath CC).

After their victories in the Chester Road Club 25 last weekend, Jozsef Owen (Fibrax Wrexham RC) and Deb Hutson-Lumb (Wrekinsport CC) are once again expected to challenge for the win at the West Cheshire TTCA 50 near Hodnet in Shropshire on Sunday.

In Dorset, Wessex Road Club are holding the South DC 50-Mile Championship near Lytchett Minster where Tom Clements (Wessex RC) is expected to battle with Army Cycling’s Alex Fortune and Tommy Blake (Loughborough Students CC) who will ride on a road bike.

Of the women, in-form Emma O’Toole (Districts of Hamwic Cyclesport) is expected to be fastest.

Liam Beaty (Scottish Borders RT) is top seed for the VTTA North Lancs and Lakes 50 near Embleton in Cumbria, with Dougie Watson (GTR Return to Life) also in the mix.

The Southern Counties CU also hold a 50-mile event on Sunday, while in Staffordshire the Manchester Wheelers have a hilly 20.5-mile event near Warslow.

In County Durham Cleveland Wheelers are promoting a 25-mile event, while Wisbech Wheelers have an event in Norfolk over the same distance.

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