HISTORY WILL be made at next week's Springtime Pursuit Cycle Meeting — the first-ever Ladies' race in the event.

In fact, it may be the first separate race for women that the Westcountry has ever staged.

"It's certainly the first ladies' race in living memory," said veteran organiser Ken Robertson of the Mid-Devon CC/Colin Lewis Cycles club.

"And it could be the first time in the history of cycle racing in the South West that it's happened."

Mid-Devon chairman Andrew Parker, who is also the new British Cycling Regional Events Officer for the South-West, said: "It's a toe in the water, but we know that there are more women out there riding these days.

"The girls have told us that they weren't that confident racing with the men, so we're putting on a separate event for them.

"We're hoping for about a dozen entries and then try and build it up from there."

The three-race Springtime Pursuit Series is the traditional curtain-raiser to the season in the Westcountry.

The first two races, over 32 miles, take place on February 20 and 27, based on the old A30 at Rockbeare next Exeter.

The third leg is over 41 miles on March 6.

The new Ladies' races will be over 20 and 32 miles.

The men's events are handicapped, with Juniors away first and the fastest 'Scratch' riders flagged off up to ten minutes later.

Overall winner last year, as a Junior, was Mid-Devon's own promising sprinter Jake Durant.

Now a Senior, Durant is back to defend his title, but his winter training programme has been hampered by a knee injury and he may do well to win again.

With more than 60 entries already received and the closing date not until this Saturday, the event is sure to be oversubscribed.

It always provides some useful pointers to the rest of the season.