News & Features

The top talent of tomorrow is heading for Berkshire this Sunday, as Newbury Velo host the National Youth Championships on a ten-mile course near Wickham.

The George Herbert Stancer Trophy is up for grabs to the fastest riders on the day, with category prizes handed out too for ages 12 and up, as well as a team prize.

Leon Atkins (258 Protégé) is expected by many to be a runaway winner, with Spindata predicting the national record holder to take victory by over two minutes.

Others who will be going for glory include Southend Wheelers’ Charles Langford, Roch Morgan of Derby Mercury RC and Noah Wheller (Preston Park YCC).

In the girls event Carys Blowers (Liv CC Halo Films) and Millie Salmon (Clifton CC York) look strong, as well as Maia Howell (Matlock CC) and Iris Gray (Welwyn Wheelers).

Elsewhere there is plenty of time trial action in Scotland with Glasgow Wheelers hosting the Tour of the Campsies over a 26-mile course near Lennoxtown in East Dumbartonshire.

Marc Anderson (GTR Return to Life p/b Streamline) is fresh from victory in the VC Glasgow South TT last weekend and will be battling the likes of Alastair McNicol (Dooleys RT) and GTR team-mate Cameron Muir for victory.

The battle for the women’s prize looks likely to be a close affair between Glasgow University CC’s Miriam Gilbride and RT23’s Anna Fairweather.

And over in Fife, it’s the Kennoway RC Grand Prix des Gentlemen two-up 10.5 near Auchtermuchty, with each pairing having a veteran rider.

Saturday sees Velopreda organising the Georgetown Cup on a 7.5-mile course near Bishopton.

Joanna Patterson (Pro Endurance Coaching) is back in the saddle after having a stroke earlier in the year, while in the open category Edinburgh Road Club’s Basil Monks and Nico Amelli (Real Guts Racing) are tipped by Spindata to be fighting for the win.

Back in England the hill-climb season is in full swing.

Team Lifting Gear Products are hosting an event on a new hill on Saturday, with Sir William Hill in Grindleford, Derbyshire, being a two-kilometre effort which has attracted the likes of Andy Nichols (Team Lifting Gear Products) and Harrogate Nova junior Harry Hudson as well as James Hayward (Woolwich CC). Alice Larkin (High Peak Cycles) is among three women who have entered.

Bunsall Cobb near Buxton is the venue for the Buxton CC, with Kieran Wynne-Cattanach (Team Lifting Gear Products), Andy Cunningham (Ilkley CC) and Dan Taylor (Leicester Forest CC) listed among the frontrunners.

Veteran Dan Evans (ASSOS UK Race Team) could also pose a threat, while in the female category Joanna Brewis (Sheffrec CC) and Bronwen Jenkinson (Saint Piran) are targeting the win.

Sunday’s climbs include the North Tyneside Riders climb of Winter’s Gibbet in Northumberland, a 2.2-mile climb which looks likely to be a battle between Marcus Cram (Muckle CC) and Nick Munro (Outlands Project) while Blaydon CC’s Sarah WEIlkinson and Madeleine Bell of Musselburgh RCC will battle for the female honours.

Over in Cumbria at the same time in’s the Border City Wheelers climb of the 5.3-mile long Hartside Moor near Melmerby.

After her efforts in the Team Lifting Gear Products climb of Saturday, Joanna Brewis could be looking for a second win in Cumbria, while other women to watch out for include Olivia French (Stolen Goat RT) and Gemma Mitchell (Team Boompods).

National champion Andrew Feather (HuntBikeWheels.com is listed to ride the open event, as is Andy Cunningham (Ilkley CC).

Ewan Tuohy (Arctic Aircon RT) is the favourite for the CC Basingstoke climb of Watership Down near Newbury, a 720-metre effort which also has David Fellows (Solihull CC) and Josh Coyne (Pump and Pedal Racing) listed to ride.

Elsewhere Mid-Devon CC have two events, an early morning climb of Haytor Vale followed by a late morning effort on Widecombe.

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