News & Features

While many events are increasing in distance as the season progresses, several of the country’s top riders are tackling shorter distances this weekend at the WattShop two-stage event with a 10-miler on Saturday and 25 miles on Sunday.

The 10-mile event near Weston in Staffordshire has Merlin Cycles Classic Series winner John Archibald (HUUB-WattShop) as pre-race favourite, while the start list is dripping in quality with his team-mates Dan Bigham and Alex Pritchard.

Junior ace Patrick Casey (Anexo Group Race Team) is also down to ride, while on a road bike we have former pro Casper Von Folsach (HUUB-WattShop).

And the women’s event has AWOL O’Shea Worx team-mates Emily Meakin and Kelly Murphy down to ride, with others including Charlotte Hodgkins-Byrne (Team Boompods) and Christina Murray (Army Cycling).

Keep an eye out for Elinor Barker (Uno-X Pro Cycling Team) too, as well as Neah Evans (HUUB-WattShop).

After Saturday’s 10-mile event, there is a 25-mile time trial on Sunday, moving across to a new and challenging course near Eccleshall in Staffordshire, the J5/13.

Elsewhere, it’s the Scottish District 100-Mile Championship on Sunday, with Dundee Thistle CC using a course near Forfar in Angus for the title race.

Dougie Watson (GTR-Return to Life) is Spindata’s pre-race favourite, with Alex Milne (Muckle CC), Robbie Mitchell (Auchencrow Thistle CC) and Silas Goldsworthy (Ryan’s Bike Surgery) all expected to turn in strong performances.

Alex Hayden (Vanelli-Project GO) is the top seed of the women, with Peenles CC rider Sharon Bird also expected to go well on her road bike. Lorna Breetzke (Vanelli-Project GO) is also one to watch.

There’s also a 100-mile event in Wales, with West Wales Cyclists’ League staging an event near Abergavenny in Monmouthshire.

In-form Chris Gibbard is tipped by Spindata to clock a personal best 3-30-59, although hot on his heels will be last man off, Anthony Jones (VMCC powered by Y Beic). Of the women, look out for GB triathlete Hannah Saitch (Horsepower Coaching).

Other events taking place on Sunday include the North Tyneside Riders 50-miler near Cramlington in Northumberland, which is the District Championships.

Tom Hutchinson (Team Bottrill) is expected to win by Spindata, but others in the mix include Chris Smart (GTR-Return to Life) and Adam Smith (Team Kirkley Cycles).

Muckle CC’s Lois Jarvis is pre-race favourite in the women’s category, with her team-mate Natalie Lye tackling the event on a road bike.

There’s also a 50-mile event in Devon, with Plymouth Corinthian CC the organising club for the event on the Devon Expressway near Buckfastleigh.

Conrad Moss (Nopinz) looks set to take victory barring misfortune, with Alice Lake (Cranbrook CC) and Martina Geraghty (Penzance Wheelers) likely to battle it out for the women’s prize.

Saturday’s events include the Hemel Hempstead CC 10 near Aston Clinton in Buckinghamshire, with three riders expected by Spindata to go under 19 minutes.

Junior star Finlay Tarling (Willebrord Wil Vooruit) is tipped by Spindata to take the win, while others to watch include Nicholas Trbovic (Elysium Kalas RT) and Alastair Luxford (Full Gas RT).

Multiple national champion Kate Allan (Team Bottrill) is the pick of the female entries and is tipped by Spindata to notch up a personal best – however she’s only listed as a reserve so may not get a ride. Others to watch for include fellow reserve rider Laura Davies (Jadan Vive le Velo), Anastasia Bowler (Wahoo Le Col) and Lauren Creamer (Velo Fixers).

And there’s also the Manchester and District TTA 50 near Cranage, as well as a host of ten mile events including the Horsham Cycling event near Steyning, the VC Bristol 10 in Gloucestershire and the Witham Wheelers 10 in Lincolnshire.

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