News & Features

All eyes turn to Chichester this weekend where the RTTC National Closed Circuit Championship takes place.

Goodwood Motor Racing hosts the event with riders completing just over four laps to form the 10-mile distance.

A close battle is expected in the open category with the top 16 riders predicted to be separated by just a minute.

Piotr Zulawski (Cambridge CC) is tipped as favourite having won seven of eight events this season – including posting a 19-30 around Goodwood in June.

Jamie Whitcher (Bournemouth Cycleworks - Vitec Fire - Ford Civil – Trek) could provide a tough challenge having clocked 17-47 on his way to winning the Sotonia CC 10 last month.

The likes of James Jenkins (Hart Performance Coaching), Rob Francis (Team Bottrill), Timothy Torrie (trainSharp) and veteran Paul Burton (Paceline RT) are all predicted to be in with a medal chance.

The women’s event is set to be equally as intriguing with the top six riders forecast to be separated by under a minute.

Kate Allan (Team Bottrill) is predicted by Spindata to clinch her four national title of the season after winning the National 25-mile Championship last weekend.

Allan is also defending her National Closed Circuit Champion crown after winning the title last October.

However, Hayley Simmonds (Doltcini O’Shea Cycle Division) could spoil Team Bottrill’s party coming into the event with a perfect record from four open events this season.

Simmonds has not competed in a national championship event since winning the National 10 and 25 in 2021 and is predicted by Spindata to provide tough competition.

Team Bottrill team-mates Alex Clay and Emily Martin are expected to be amongst the other women medal hopefuls.

The paracyclists category has also attracted a strong field with Will Bjergfelt predicted to go quickest ahead of AeroCoach team-mate B Xavier Disley.

Tipped to take honours in the juniors’ category is Alexander Murphy (Velo Club Venta) ahead of youth rider Charles Langford (Southend Wheelers), while Lucy Benezet Minns (Tofauti Everyone Active) is amongst those in the girls’ competitors.

A big field of 120 riders will be hoping for perfect conditions on Saturday evening in Cumbria for the Springfield Financial Racing Team 10 on the Levens course.

A sub 18-minute ride could be required for victory as the likes of Josh Charlton (Hetton Hawks CC), Simon Wilson (HUUB WattShop) and George Peden (Team PB Performance) go head-to-head.

Meanwhile, talented youngster Ben Wiggins (Team Bottrill) provides an unknown quantity for his first open event.

The women’s category is also expected to be well fought as Spindata predicts junior rider Esther Wong (Cog Set Papyrus) and Beth Macrae (Jadan Vive Le Velo) to lead the way with the same time of 22-04.

Earlier on Saturday afternoon the ECCA 10 also provides an opportunity for fast times on the E2/10 course near Cambridge.

Liam Maybank (Twickenham CC) is predicted to go quickest by Spindata in 18-45, while Lauren Harding (Chelmer CC) and Deborah Beare (Icknield RC) are expected to battle for female honours.

For those long-distance specialists who fancy a challenge the Bristol South Cycling Club 100-mile hardriders event awaits on Sunday.

Veterans Daniel Legg (North Hampshire RC) and Tony Chapman (Frome and District Wheelers) are expected to battle for honours with just 15 seconds predicted to separate them.

Amongst the women ready to tackle the gruelling course is Corinne Clark (360VRT) and Kerry Hickson (Newbury Velo).

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