WINTER turns to summer next week is the hope of cycling optimists as enthusiastic time trialists prepare to compete in one of three 10 mile races taking place in different locations across the country.

Two take place tomorrow, with Border CA attracting 75 entrants plus another four pairs on tandems to Bentley on the A31 east of Alton for a long-standing event which Malcolm Cox (VC St Raphael Waite Contracts) took just 21m 17s to win last year.

With a young family looking forward to enjoying Christmas, the Hedge End rider has decided to stay away from competition.

That leaves the way clear for Ray Hughes (Clarence Wheelers) to take his place on the winner's board, though this will be hotly disputed by Dave Dent (SP Systems Wightlink RT) John Woodburn (Maidenhead CC) and last year's runner-up, Stewart Jardine (Twickenham CC).

Hampshire's newest club, Team Axion, take over from last year's organisers to stage a club event over a shorter distance near Wickham on the same morning.

They offer a free entry to riders entering into the spirit of the occasion by racing in fancy dress.

New Forest CC promise prizes for riders in similar dress who compete in the annual Boxing Day 10, and the village hall at Bisterne has been booked in preference to a car park in Ringwood to make the prize presentation more comfortable afterwards.

The course in Old Christchurch Road remains unchanged, and the same venue has been chosen by Crabwood CC for its cycle-cross meeting at the Sports Centre in Southampton.

Sponsored by Hargroves Cycles, this Wessex League meeting will bring the company's Stuart Bowers and Tim Dunford into direct conflict with their Southampton rivals, GA Cycles, led by Tony Green, Robin Wilmott and Andrew MacDonald.