Wendy Houvenaghel takes women’s race as neither champion defends
Alex Dowsett (Team Sky) took over the vacant British time trial champion’s jersey of teammate Bradley Wiggins, who was unable to defend his title due to the event’s clash with the Vuelta a España. The 22-year-old neo-pro completed the 46.7km (29 mile) course in Sawtry, Cambridgeshire, in 58’26”, nineteen seconds faster than Sky teammate Steve Cummings, and 1’48” quicker than Matt Bottrill (I-ride.co.uk), to take his first ever senior title.
Former three-time champion Michel Hutchinson (In-Gear Quickvit Trainsharp) finished 1’42” behind Dowsett, which would have earned him the bronze medal ahead of Bottrill. The 37-year-old Ulsterman recently took out an Irish licence, and rode in the Irish championships and so, although he was allowed to ride, his time did not count towards the British championships.
With the defending women’s champion – World champion Emma Pooley (Garmin-Cervélo) – also absent riding the Memorial Davide Fardelli in Italy, her jersey was also up for grabs. It was taken by 2003 and 2007 champion Wendy Houvenaghel (Bike Chain Ricci) by a 54-second margin over 2005 champion – and pre-race favourite – Julia Shaw (www.drag2zero.com), with the bronze medal taken by multiple Paralympic champion Sarah Storey (Horizon Fitness), 1’23” back.
Great Britain time trial championship (Elite men)
1. Alex Dowsett (GBr) Sky Pro Cycling, 46.7km (29 miles) in 58’26”
2. Steve Cummings (GBr) Sky Pro Cycling @ 19s
3. Matthew Bottrill (GBr) I-ride.co.uk @ 1’48”
4. Russell Hampton (GBr) Sigma Sport @ 2’12”
5. Joseph Perrett (GBr) Twenty3c-Orbea @ 2’18”
6. Matt Clinton (GBr) MikeVaughan.co.uk @ 3’07”
7. Blake Pond (GBr) South Fork Racing @ 3’43”
8. Colin Parry (GBr) Wilier / Goselfdrive.com @ 4’36”
9. Seth Kay (GBr) DataTeamAllstars @ 4’57”
10. Tejvan Pettinger (GBr) SRI Chinmoy CT @ 5’22”
11. James Ratcliffe (GBr) Fred Williams Racing @ 6’26”
12. Alistair Robinson (GBr) Team Leslie Bike Shop @ 7’00”
13. Dean Robson (GBr) Somerset RC @ 7’41”
14. Luke Moseley (GBr) Climb on Bikes RT @ 8’11”
15. Thomas Weatherall (GBr) Cambridge University CC @ 8’27”
16. Tom Sexton (GBr) Welland Valley CC @ 8’56”
17. Matt Plews (GBr) Welland Valley CC @ 12’21”
18. Andrew Ilsley (GBr) Baines Racing Silvestone @ 20’32”
N/A Michael Hutchinson (Irl) In-Gear Quickvit Trainsharp RT @ 1’42”
Great Britain time trial championship (Elite women)
1. Wendy Houvenaghel (GBr) Bike Chain Ricci, 33.6km (20.9 miles) in 45’38”
2. Julia Shaw (GBr) www.drag2zero.com @ 54s
3. Sarah Storey (GBr) Horizon Fitness RT @ 1’23”
4. Rebecca Romero (GBr) XRT-elmy Cycles @ 3’02”
5. Emma Trott (GBr) Nederland Bloeit @ 3’49”
6. Claire Newland (GBr) Welwyn Wheelers @ 4’37”
7. Ella Sadler-Andrews (GBr) Horizon Fitness RT @ 4’38”
8. Paula Moseley (GBr) Climb on Bikes RT @ 5’35”
9. Lynn Hamel (GBr) Herbalife/Wheelbase @ 6’08”
10. Nicola Juniper (GBr) Inverse/Cyclaim @ 6’09”