THE 2017 cycle road racing season opens this coming Sunday (February 26), with the Mid-Devon Cycling Club promoting its ever popular Primavera Races.

The headquarters of the race is at the Hatherleigh Community Centre. The higher category race with 70+ entrants begins at 10.30am with the support race with 80 entrants five minutes later. Both races follow the same route. It is along the A3072 towards Holsworthy.

At Beara Cross the riders start an 11.5 mile triangular circuit of Dunsland Cross, Halwill Junction and back to Beara Cross. On each lap at Halwill Junction there will be an intermediate prize for the first rider to cross the ‘prime’ line. This can be a launch pad for a sustained attack.

The top race covers four laps and the other race three laps. Both races then return to Hatherleigh and the finish at the top end of the town’s by-pass. The support race, more than 48 miles, should finish at 12.35pm with the other race over 58 miles just before 1pm.

The promoting club is well represented in both races. Matt Langworthy, winner of a national time trial championship, is the main hope of success in the top race.  He will have team support but face challenges from strong teams that have come from South Wales, Somerset plus individuals who will travel down from London and Kent.

The club also has a strong team of juniors in the second race. To succeed these juniors will have to pit their wits against an equally strong team from the Bath CC.

Travelling farthest to race will be a duo from the Ely CC. Riding on home roads will be Josh Coyne (44) of Okehampton CC plus Ben Kerwin (66) and Daniel Strong (67), Tavistock Wheelers/ North Shore Gallery.