Alex Dowsett claimed victory in the elite men’s race at the 2016 British time trial national championships in Stockton-on-Tees on Thursday.
The success was the Movistar cyclist’s fifth national TT title, after winning between 2011-13 and last year. Dowsett clocked 55min 38.523sec on the 28.8-mile course which saw off the challenge of James Gullen.
There were some interesting non‑starters, with the 2015 runner-up Ed Bradbury absent while Owain Doull, Steven Burke, George Atkins, Mark Christian and Dan McLay missed out.
Earlier in the day, Hayley Simmonds (Aerocoach) defended her elite women’s crown while Scott Davies (Team Wiggins) took the under-23 men’s title. Simmonds dominated and left the runner-up, Claire Rose, with no answer, with Dame Sarah Storey claiming third and Emma Pooley fourth. The 27‑year‑old’s time of 47min 33.357sec was more than 40 seconds better than Rose and almost a minute quicker than the three-times winner Pooley – who is expected to be named in Team GB’s Olympic squad for the road race on Friday.
The British road national championships continue on Sunday with the road race events.
