Cycling: Oliphant set to test himself against top riders

CAPITAL-BASED cyclist Evan Oliphant bids to extend his winning run when he pits himself against some of the sport's biggest names at Sunday's British Road Race Championships in Lancashire.

The 28-year-old has been in sparkling form of late and now lines up against global stars David Millar and Mark Cavendish, who are completing their preparations for the Tour de France – Team Sky's Bradley Wiggins is also entered but unlikely to compete.

Oliphant's confidence is high going into the 180-kilometre event and he believes he is reaping the rewards of a busy programme.

He said: "This is the best form I've ever had. I think I benefited from early season work in France and Spain."

Other Scottish contenders in the 130-strong field include Oliphant's Endura colleagues, Ross Creber and Gary Hand, while Alex Coutts is back in the UK after finishing 11th in last week's Tour of East Java.

Meanwhile, Kate Cullen is out to make life difficult for Olympic champion Nicole Cooke in the 96-kilometre women's event.

Joining Cullen will be fellow Capital rider Claire Thomas, who has been competing in Europe, plus Edinburgh RC's Anne Ewing and Jennifer Stanning.