The Totnes-Vire cycling race attracting top riders from across the UK

The decision to extend the deadline for entries to the 52nd Totnes-Vire Two-Day Stage Race has paid off for the Mid-Devon CC organisers.

Nearly 60 riders from all over the country are now poised to tackle the three stages, including the first two in Torbay, over this Saturday and Sunday (Apr 4-5).

The race, one of the oldest on the UK calendar, has produced some top-class winners over the years – Jon Tiernan-Locke, Matthew Holmes and Rory Townsend all made it to cycling’s WorldTour.

It’s still a stepping-stone to better things and this edition, which doesn’t look to have a clear favourite, should be closely fought among many up-and-coming riders.

Cameron McLaren (TAAP Kalas) – he won last year’s opening stage - and Ben Goodwin (Stolen Goat Racing), who both finished in the top-ten overall 12 months ago, are back for another tilt at podium honours.

Former Okehampton CC prospect Callum Orchard (Nopinz) will fancy his chances over the Stage Three roads he knows as well as anyone.

Orchard was also the only man who could stay with winner Ewan Warren in the closing stages of the recent Primavera RR over similar terrain.

The three stages are named after three of the MDCC’s most revered and much-missed figures.

The race opens with the Colin Lewis Criterium at Paignton’s Torbay Velopark, a 75-minute closed circuit test, spiced with time bonuses, starting at 10.45am.

On Saturday afternoon (3.30pm) the field will head for the lung-bursting 1K time trial of the Ken Robertson Oddicombe Hill Climb.

Over a road closed for the occasion, the stage was a big success when it was reprised last year.

The leaders’ time gaps are seldom decisive before Sunday’s final stage, the Roy Hopkins Dartmoor View Road Race (10.30am).

It’s over 83 tough miles between the start/finish point at Hatherleigh and Okehampton.

Before and after Stage One, the MDCC is also promoting the Colin Lewis Grand Prix, a programme of races at the Velopark.

It’s part of the South West Youth Series and is open for boys and girls aged Under-8 to Under-16, as well as 3rd/4th Category riders.