Cycling: Lothian riders back on British soil for Premier event

Lothians-based cyclists James McCallum and Evan Oliphant will be back from foreign travels this weekend to contest the opening leg of the six-race British Cycling Premier Calendar Series in Essex.

McCallum, competing for Rapha Condor-Sharp, has raced in Singapore and France in the opening weeks of the season. Meanwhile, Oliphant has just returned from the Tour of Mexico where he made his stage race debut in the colours of Team Raleigh. And it was an impressive start for the Scottish champion who had his first podium finish in his mew team’s colours when he took second spot on stage three of the eight-day event.

The surroundings on Sunday will be the less glamorous Dengie Marshes, although the quality of the opposition promises to be exceptionally high with all of the leading domestic teams selecting strong squads.

McCallum and Oliphant will face familiar opposition for the 104-mile event that features several off-road sections. They were previously team-mates at Endura Racing, who have had an exceptional start to the year. Jon Tiernan-Locke has posted two major victories for the West Lothian outfit and will be looking to boost his tally, supported by Endura’s strong international contingent.