George Atkins will be unleashed on the Tour Series in Northwich tonight (7.30pm).
However, a decision will be made this morning as to whether Matt Nowell will compete in his home race after he crashed heavily and bruised his lower back in Stoke last night.
Atkins, 25, from Kibworth Beauchamp in Leicestershire, was the 2013 Elite Circuit Series champion and finished third in the National Crit Championship in 2015.
His last Tour Series appearance came when finishing eighth in Canary Wharf in 2015, prior to enduring a troubled campaign last term.
But now he is back. And having not raced since the Tour of the Wolds on April 9, BIKE Channel Canyon sports director Tim Elverson is ready to send him into battle in Cheshire. Elverson added:
“I’m rolling George out now and I’m hoping he will be something of a secret weapon. He may be someone other people have forgotten even rides for us!”
Alongside Atkins, eyes will be on former 20-year-old Weaver Valley rider Nowell, if passed fit, as he prepares to race in his hometown of Northwich this evening.
The line-up for round three of this season’s championship is completed by Chris Opie, winner of the opening skirmish in Redditch, Jack Pullar and Harry Tanfield, with Jake Womersley on stand-by.
