Virgin Money Cyclone Challenge entries open next week

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Entries for next year's Virgin Money Cyclone Challenge, one of the country's biggest mass participation events, will go on sale next Thursday (November 1).

The Cyclone, which will take place on June 29 2013, attracts 4,000 cyclists every year from beginners and families to experienced riders. Three routes - 33, 63 and 104-miles - around Northumberland are on offer for participants.

It also forms part of a four-day festival of cycling in and around Newcastle, which includes the Tyne Six Bridges Leisure Riders, the Leazes Criterium, women's Curlew Cup and the Beaumont Trophy races.

Event organiser Peter Harrison said: "The success of British cyclists like Bradley Wiggins this summer is encouraging people to get out on their bikes. Already we have had lots of people asking about the 2013 Virgin Money Cyclone Challenge rides, so it's great to be able to tell them they can sign up now."

For more information visit www.virginmoneycyclone.co.uk.

Paul Oldham and his Hope Factory Racing team will be aiming to make it two from two at this Saturday's second round of the Rapha Super Cross series at Misterton Hall in Lutterworth, Leicestershire.

The former national champion from Colne saw off the Hargroves Cycles pairing of Jody Crawforth and Steven James at last Saturday's edition in Yorkshire, with Dave Collins and Three Peaks winner Rob Jebb joining Oldham on the podium.

The Wall of Foam made its debut in the fun races while the Tequila shortcut made its return on the Broughton Hall course bathed in bright sunshine.

Oldham in full-flight

If you'd like to have a go yourself then entries are still available for the Misterton Hall round, before Sunday sees the series return to its spiritual home of Alexandra Palace for the final round. Spectator entry is free for both days and the racing will be accompanied by all the music, commentary, food, drink and cowbells that you'd expect.

Head to www.rapha.cc/super-cross for more details and entries.

Harriet Owen today became the second rider to announce she will join the Matrix Fitness-Prendas team for 2013.

Owen, who won the Johnson's Health Tech GP round in Peterborough at the end of May, follows Jo Tindley in signing for the squad.

The team has previously confirmed that Jessie Walker has also resigned for next season.

Cyclo-cross is well and truly descending on the capital this weekend as the fourth ‘Muddy Hell' hits the Herne Hill Velodrome in South London.

The races kick off as the sun begins to set at 5pm and continue well into the night, with trade stands and hot food and drink in abundance to keep everyone warm and well-fed.

Who knew hell could be this fun?

There will be bike-polo, face painting and Rollapaluza will be running their famous roller-racing competitions for the fans too, while fancy dress for competitors is strongly encouraged. What more could you want? Click here for more.

Just three weeks on from its launch (CW October 4) and Team SWI has already announced a new addition to its roster for the upcoming Track World Cup round in Glasgow.

BC Academy sprinter Lewis Oliva, 20, will become the squad's fifth rider for the competition in November and will compete in the men's sprint and men's keirin. His next goal will be the Commonwealth Games in 2014, where he hopes to ride for Wales.

"As a sprinter we don't race very much throughout the year," said Oliva, who recently rode for Great Britain at the European Track Championships in Lithuania. "You always find the riders that get given opportunity early on tend to come back with those experiences and raise their game."

Oliva won the team sprint competition with Pete Mitchell and Dave Daniell at last month's National Track Championships and also placed second in the individual sprint and fourth in the keirin at the same meet.