The road season starts next month and Sussex cyclists can look forward to a full racing programme for all categories and ages.

There will be 16 meetings on Tuesday evenings at the Goodwood motor circuit, starting on April 30, plus several Sunday meetings including one on Easter Sunday.

Brighton's Preston Park will host 14 track meetings on Wednesdays, starting on May 8.

There will be eight circuit race meetings at Hove Park beginning on Friday, April 26. Every meeting at these three venues will include special races for juveniles.

Road races in the county will include a round of the South East under-23 series on April 14.

The Fred Cowley Memorial race at Loxwood is on April 28, the 36th annual Lewes Wanderers criterium series at Laughton starts on June 6, and VC Etoile's Giles Ree Memorial race at Handcross is on July 7.

Several Sussex clubs will also be promoting road races for the Surrey League. The League's top event is its Revolutions five-day race in August.

There will also be a full programme of time trials, starting with the GS Stella's two hilly time trials at Storrington on February 3 and 4, followed a week later by the Central Sussex 25.

County time trial championships include the 50-mile championship on June 9, the 100-mile championship on July 21 and the 25-mile championship, when Alan Curtis defends his title, on September 1.

Brighton Mitre's open promotions include a hilly event in the Devils Dyke area on Easter Monday. Brighton Excelsior's 25 is on August 4, and the East Sussex CA are promoting a number of events.

The main off-road meeting will be a round of the Southern Area mountain bike championship taking place in Stanmer Park on September 7.

Newcomers to the sport requiring information on how to become involved in any of the above races, can contact me on 01903 205308.

Hassocks veteran, Rik Taub (In Gear), finished 21st in the Over 50s national cyclo-cross championship at Ipswich. Doug Fox (Crawley Wheelers) finished 28th in the championship for riders aged 40-50.