Hutch versus Wiggo - the National 10 showdown
Michael Hutchinson (In-Gear Quickvit Trainsharp RT) has Team Sky's Bradley Wiggins standing between himself and a ninth National 10 title when they meet in Crathorne, Yorkshire on Saturday afternoon.
Hutchinson has been victorious for the past six years, and has already come close his 10 record this season.
Wiggins has maintained a low profile throughout 2011, bar his podium finish in Paris-Nice, and has recently been training in Tenerife as he prepares for the Tour.
Although he hasn't ridden a 10 since 2009, he is able to enter the T102-based race because of a rule that allows a rider who placed on the podium in the National Time Trial Championships - he won it last year - to enter both Saturday's race and the 25, which seems unlikely.
Speaking to Cycling Weekly in January, Wiggins said: "It's a good day out, it's very relaxed.
"Going to Tescos and getting some flapjacks, pumping your own tyres up, that's what it's all about.
"I got so pushed away from all that stuff, by myself (last year)," he added.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
How do they compare?
Last July, Hutchinson recorded a 17-57, slicing one second off Wiggins' fastest-ever 10 time that he set back in 2006.
Hutch unstoppable during the 2010 National 10
The showdown between the pair at the BTTC never materialised, with Wiggo beating Hutch by over two minutes.
Cycling Weekly's friend-lacking stats department have compiled a list of their performances from 2011 so far, and have listed them below.
Wiggins 2011 TT results
Race | Distance (m) | Time | Average speed (mph) |
Tour of Romandy | 12.5 | 28-15 | 26.5 |
Tour of Romandy | 1.8 | 3-52 | 27.9 |
Critérium International | 4.3 | 8-51 | 29.2 |
Paris-Nice | 16.7 | 33-44 | 29.7 |
Tour of Qatar | 1.6 | 3-20 | 28.8 |
Hutchinson 2011 TT results
Race | Distance (m) | Time | Average speed (mph) |
Farnham RC | 10 | 19-03 | 31.4 |
Ogmore Valley | 25 | 48-15 | 31.1 |
City RC | 10 | 18-04 | 33.2 |
ACME Wheelers | 25 | 47-00 | 31.9 |
Hull RC | 10 | 18-07 | 33.1 |
Wiggins on the way to the BTTC title, 2010
Wiggins' last TT was in the Tour of Romandy; he recorded his slowest TT of the year but the rolling course and unfavourable wind should be considered.
Other challengers
Also worth mentioning is Matt Bottrill (i-Ride.co.uk), the current Rudy Project National Series leader.
His times over distance have been competitive, but Bottrill has not ridden a 10 for some weeks.
Bottrill 2011 TT results
Race | Distance (m) | Time | Average speed (mph) |
Bill Spencer Memorial | 25 | 50-39 | 29.6 |
Doncaster Wheelers | 26.5 | 55-00 | 28.9 |
Longor Good Friday | 33 | 1-22-29 | 24.0 |
Bassenthwaite Lake | 31.2 | 1-03-58 | 29.3 |
Essex | 25.5 | 53-42 | 28.9 |
Stu Dodd won the recent Bath CC 10, and while not an official entrant, clocked an impressive 18-59 at the Chippenham and District Wheelers 10 last Sunday.
Team PedalRevolution.co.uk rider Andy Bason sets off one minute before Wiggins, and has an 18-39 to his name this year.
Women and juniors
Julia Shaw (www.drag2zero.com) is defending her women's title, having won the race since 2007.
She has several quick times to her name this year, including a 29-40 in the Doncaster TT a few weeks ago, but last year's runner-up Sarah Storey will be looking to make amends for her 27-second defeat twelve months ago.
Shaw looks to be the woman to beat once again
Storey's Horizon Fitness team-mates Jo Roswell - who posted a 21-51 at the Farnham RT 10 earlier this month - and world team pursuit champion Dani King will also be on the startline.
Laura Trott (100% ME) won last year's junior women's crown, and is stepping up to the women's category but last year's junior men's champion Oliver Rossi (PCA Ciclos Uno) will be looking at taking back-to-back titles.
Related links
Hutchinson blasts to National 10 win
British TT round-up: May 8 2011
British TT round-up: May 1 2011British TT round-up: April 24 2011
British TT round-up: April 17 2011
British TT round-up: April 11 2011
British TT round-up: April 4 2011
British TT round-up: March 27 2011
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1