Preview: National Championships, Southampton, 6 – 7 January

Despite a long journey in the offing, the NW is set to send a good number of riders to Southampton Sports Centre on 6 and 7th January.

Arguably the strongest podium chances come from Roy Hunt (V50s) and daughter Amy Hunt (W), but they are both recovering from serious injuries – will they get up to form in time?

Jonny McEvoy returns from a long succesful racing campaign in Belgium, and would love to have the chance to wear the national champion’s jersey before he moves up to the senior ranks next autumn.
The tough Southampton course will produce some thrilling racing and a worthy champion.? Reigning champion Roger Hammond, racing for the first time in his T-Mobile colours will be the man to beat, but strong NW riders like Ian Bibby, Paul Oldham and Rob Jebb should all go well at this point in the season and in probably muddy conditions.

Full list of North West riders below

Vet 45 (born 1957-61)
DUNCAN STUART? WWW.KESWICKBIKES.CO.UK

Vet 50 (born 1952-56)
ROY HUNT? TREK – SIS
ANDY STUBBS? BARROW CENTRAL WHEELERS /KIRKBYS
JOHN GALWAY? WWW.KESWICKBIKES.CO.UK
RAY PUGH? LIVERPOOL MERCURY CC

Vet 55 (born 1947-51)
JEFF STANDLEY? LAKES RC

Vet 70+
IAN SMALL? ZODIAC CRC

WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP

CAROLYN WRIGHT VET HORWICH CC
MARIE STUART JUN RALEIGH-ERV
AMY HUNT? TREK – SIS

JUNIOR MEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP

JONATHAN MCEVOY? KINESIS UK

SENIOR & UNDER-23 MEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP

PAUL OLDHAM? HOPE FACTORY RACING
DAVE BRAILSFORD? HORWICH CC
CRAIG DENNING? WWW.SPORTS-COACHING.COM
IAN WILKINSON? TREK-SIS
LEWIS CRAVEN? WHEELBASE/RON HILL
DAVE HAYGARTH? WHEELBASE/RON HILL
ROBERT JEBB? WHEELBASE/RON HILL
STUART REID? WHEELBASE/RON HILL
ANTHONY MORRIS? INDIVIDUAL MEMBER
Under-23
IAN BIBBY? TREK – SIS