The British Road Race Championships take place this weekend in Beverley, Yorkshire. Hopefully the competitors will be riding on their tyres rather than using them to stay afloat. The women's road race is on Saturday 29 June and the men's on Sunday 1 July.

There's also an Elite criterium on the Friday, featuring many of Britain's top circuit riders such as the in-form Warrick Spence (Cyclefit/Serotta); National champion James McCullum (Plowman Craven/Evans Cycles), fresh from his victory at the Smithfield Nocturne; and rising star Alex Dowsett (100% Me).

The women's race is almost certain to centre around Nicole Cooke (Raleigh/Lifeforce/Creation/HB), who is seeking to retain the title which she has made her own over the last seven years. Fresh from victory at La Grande Boucle Feminine, Cooke remains the dominant rider and will be closely marked by those who can stay with her.

With talented riders, such as Emma Pooley (Team Specialised Designs for Women) and Tanja Slater (Raleigh/Lifeforce/Creation/HB), coming through and starting to make their mark, Cooke certainly won't have things all her own way and will be made to work for the covetted red, white and blue banded jersey. If half the battle is in the head, then Nicole's fearsome reputation and ability to tear apart a field gives her a considerable advantage from the start.

With British Cycling's development work starting to produce talented young riders and professional outfits such as Global Racing Team their best riders to the event, including Criterium Champion Lizzie Armistead, Nicole may find that she will have a tougher challenge to retain her title than in previous years.

The men's race promises a world-class field featuring almost all of Britain's Pro Tour riders. The only notable absentees are Bradley Wiggins (Cofidis), Steve Cummings (Discovery Channel) and Charlie Wegelius (Liquigas).

Those who will be on the start line include fast-rising sprint star Mark Cavendish (T-Mobile) and David Millar (Saunier-Duval/Prodir). Cavendish's mentor and teammate, Roger Hammond will no doubt be determined to avoid a repeat of last year when he was beaten in the sprint by Hamish Haynes.

Last year's third place rider Geraint Thomas (Barloworld) will also be up there ahead of his dream start in the Tour De France. The possibility of wearing the national champion's jersey as the peleton rolls out of London on 8 July will certainly be a motivating factor for at least four of the riders and should make for a keenly contested race.

For the romantics and nostalgists the presence of the seemingly ageless Malcolm Elliott (Pinarello RT) will raise a smile. Can he pull of another victory at the age of 46 and add to a highly distinguished palmares? Those with a passion for the underdog might also find themselves supporting Jeremy Hunt (Unibet) who has endured a difficult season as the unlucky victim of high-level politics in the sport.

What is certain is that the event will be a marvelous showcase for some of the best talent in British Cycling.