Former Tour de France stage winner Sean Yates, from Forest Row, has entered the longest and toughest of GS Stella's two time trials this weekend.

Saturday's event, which heralds the start of the new road season, is over an 18km course between Storrington and Whiteways Lodge via Houghton Hill.

The headquarters is Sullington Parish Hall and the first rider starts at 2pm.

Sunday's event is over a tough 42km circuit of Storrington, Houghton, Fontwell, Arundel bypass, Patching and Findon with the finish just east of Storrington.

The headquarters is at Storrington Football Club and the start is 10am.

Many of the riders will be competing for the trophy awarded to the fastest rider over the two events.

Yates (In Gear) would have been the favourite but owing to a prior commitment he has only entered Sunday's event.

Jim Cheek, the former Lewes Wanderers star who has now joined In Gear, is also only riding on Sunday.

The non-Sussex riders in overall contention include 2003 winner Rowan Horner, from Hampshire club VC St Raphael, and Tim Bayley, of London club Arctic RT, who won the first stage last year and was fourth overall.

Sussex challengers include GS Stella's new recruit Dave Dent, Worthing twins Chris and Simon McNamara (Wild Side RT) and Petworth rider Dave Shepherd (Liphook Cycles).

The new Horsham club has already notched up an open win this year.

Martin Rowe won a Hare and Hounds race in a Winter League race at the Calshot indoor track and finished second in a 2km race won by Shoreham's Graham Charlton who is currently riding unattached.