Oliphant back on home soil

CAPITAL-BASED cyclist Evan Oliphant of the Plowman Craven team will bid to reproduce the form that delivered a win in California last week when he lines up in Sunday's East Midlands Classic.

The 26-year-old posted an impressive victory in the Sea Otter Classic. This weekend, he will line up in a field of 180 riders from nine countries. Also going to the start in the 99-mile event that features several stretches of cobbles and rough terrain is a strong squad from the Livingston-based Pedal Power team.

Back on Scottish soil, a field of 64 riders will line up in tomorrow's Jason MacIntyre Memorial 10 Mile Time Trial in Fort William. Last man off will be Mark Atkinson (Sandy Wallace Cycles), a long-time team mate of MacIntyre at Velo Ecosse. The top prize is a glass sculpture inspired by MacIntyre's racing helmet.

Several Capital riders will make the trip north, among them Jessica Wilson-Young (Edinburgh RC), who should be the top performer in the women's category.

Elsewhere, Gorebridge rider Alex Coutts continues his busman's holiday from racing in Asia when he starts as favourite for Sunday's 82-mile David Campbell Memorial Road Race in Fife.