Archer GP ready for a battle

One of the UK's most prestigious one-day races, the Archer Grand Prix, looks set for one of its best years ever with entries pouring in already from top domestic riders. Former Tour of Spain green jersey winner Malcolm Elliot is still going strong at 45 years of age but will face stiff competition from previous winners John Tanner and Kevin Dawson plus other leading riders Chris Newton, Tony Gibb, Joel Stewart, Mark Wordsworth and Dean Downing.

"With all the riders who are entered in this year's race, it really does look like a return to the halcyon days of UK cycle racing!" said Race organiser Stuart Cook. "I'm sure that any one of the riders could win the race but it would certainly be a deserved winner."

This year's race, to be held on April 15, features an undulating course around the Chiltern Hills and includes primes at the top of Longdown Hill and the fearsome Whiteleaf Hill plus sprint primes at the Wheel pub in Naphill and the Hit and Miss pub in Pen Street.