Reports

2024 National Time Trial Championships: report and results

Anna Henderson and Josh Tarling won elite time trial honours as Josie Nelson and Tomos Pattison secured the U23 crowns at the National Road Championships, 19 June 2024

Anna Henderson of Team Visma – Lease a Bike stormed to victory in the Elite Women’s time trial at the National Road Championships, reclaiming the title she won previously back in 2021 in Lincoln. Meanwhile, Josie Nelson of Team DSM-Firmenich PostNL clinched victory in the U23 Women’s time trial.

In the men’s events, European ITT champion Josh Tarling once again confirmed his outstanding time trialling pedigree, setting a blistering pace to defend his elite national time trial crown, while first-year under-23 Tomos Pattison (Team Visma – Lease a Bike Development) secured the U23 Men’s title in a closely fought contest.

The event, held on a challenging 15km circuit in Catterick, North Yorkshire, saw the riders tackle a series of rolling hills that tested their endurance and time-trialling prowess.

Featured image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com

Reports

U23 Women

The U23 Women’s time trial kicked off the National Road Championships at the Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire, with nine starters competing for the prestigious national jersey.

Facing two laps of a 15km lumpy circuit, Isabella Johnson of Jadan Vive le Velo was the first rider off the virtual start ramp. The race saw Josie Nelson (Team DSM-Firmenich PostNL) dominate both the split and final times, clocking an impressive 24:01.48 at the halfway mark and finishing with a time of 47:58.97. Her average speed of 37.53 km/h was unmatched, securing her a decisive win.

Defending champion Maddie Leech from Lifeplus Wahoo fought valiantly but had to settle for second place. Leech’s split time of 24:32.27 had her in contention, but she finished the race in 49:52.50, trailing Nelson by 1 minute and 53 seconds.

Flora Perkins of Fenix-Deceuninck rounded out the podium with a solid performance, completing the course in 50:11.48. Despite her strong start with a split time of 25:05.69, Perkins couldn’t close the gap, finishing 2 minutes and 12 seconds behind Nelson. Perkins was third in last year’s event too.

2024 Lloyds Bank National Individual Time Trial Championships – U23 Women – Catterick, North Yorkshire – Josie Nelson, Team DSM-Firmenich PostNL. Image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com

Nelson’s victory marks another significant achievement in her career in a season when she took her first professional win with a stage victory at the Tour de Normandie Féminin.

“It was hard but it was a really good course, I enjoyed it,” Nelson told The British Continental post-race. “I’ve not done much TTing so it’s a really good result for me.”

Nelson executed her pacing strategy perfectly, earning her a time which would have secured her fifth place in the elite women’s race. “My team did a pacing plan for me because obviously with a TT this long you can go quite hard on the first lap and be blown up for the second, but I did a stronger second lap, so I’m happy with that.”

Joe Hudson speaks to Josie Nelson

Results

PosBibNameTeam15km SplitTimeGap
1108Josie NelsonTeam DSM-Firmenich PostNL0:24:01.4847:59.0
2101Madelaine LeechLifeplus Wahoo0:24:32.2749:52.5+1:53.53
3102Flora PerkinsFenix-Deceuninck0:25:05.6950:11.5+2:12.51
4105Ellie ParryWatersley R & D Road Team0:24:55.5650:26.4+2:27.46
5113Niamh MurphyDoltcini – O’Shea0:26:12.1453:12.8+5:13.84
6110Ella JamiesonLifeplus Wahoo0:26:56.2853:52.1+5:53.12
7111Matilda McKibbenDoltcini – O’Shea0:27:15.1754:30.7+6:31.71
8114Isabella JohnsonJadan Vive le Velo Glasdon0:28:34.9357:50.2+9:51.19
9112Lowri RichardsPro-Noctis – 200º Coffee – Hargreaves Contracting Ltd0:28:30.6558:06.8+10:07.79

Elite Women

This startlist for the elite women’s race was marked by the absence of Lizzie Holden, the defending champion, who did not start, leaving the field open for a new champion to be crowned.

The race saw Lucy Lee (DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK) set an early benchmark with a finishing time of 50:26.3. Her early pace was not enough to sustain her position at the top, however, and she ultimately finished 8th.

For a while it looked like Claire Steels (Movistar), not known for her time trialling prowess but nonetheless at clearly at home on the punchy course, might be the day’s winner as she set the fastest split time of 23:14.82. No-one seemed able to beat this until 2021 national time trial champion Anna Henderson (Visma Lease-A-Bike) came storming through with an impressive split time of 22:45.90, 29 seconds faster than Steels.

2024 Lloyds Bank National Individual Time Trial Championships – Elite Women – Catterick, North Yorkshire – Claire Steels, Movistar Team. Image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com

Henderson, who secured a fourth-place finish at the World Championships ITT in 2023, solidified her dominance on the second lap of the circuit to finish in 46:07.0 at an average speed of 39.03 km/h.

Steels continued her commendable performance, clocking a finish time of 46:39.9. Her consistent pace earned her second place, narrowly ahead of Elinor Barker MBE (Uno-X Mobility), who completed the course in 47:08.7.

Reigning national road race champion Pfeiffer Georgi of Team DSM-Firmenich PostNL put in a strong display, finishing fourth with a time of 47:42.0. And in what is her final appearance at the National Road Championships, 2019 national time trial champion Alice Wood (Human Powered Health), who recently announced that she will retire at the end of this season, finished tenth.

2024 Lloyds Bank National Individual Time Trial Championships – Elite Women – Catterick, North Yorkshire – Anna Henderson, TEAM VISMA – LEASE A BIKE. Image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com

“I think I went out a bit hard on the first lap because on the second lap I really really suffered,” Henderson told The British Continental after the race. “I just had to keep going and keep pushing on.”

Success was even sweeter for Henderson given the tough start she’s had to the season, breaking her collarbone twice. “2024 has been a bit up and down, a bit rough at times,” Henderson reflected. “I just want to say thank you to the team, they’ve come all the way over from the Netherlands to support me and the rest of the guys”.

Henderson hopes her first race in her new national time trial jersey will be at the Tour de France Femmes in August. “I’ve always wanted to wear the national stripes at the Tour and this year, hopefully, will be my year,” she said.

Joe Hudson speaks with Anna Henderson

Results

PosBibNameTeam15km SplitTime
1206Anna HendersonTEAM VISMA – LEASE A BIKE0:22:45.9046:07.0
2217Claire SteelsMovistar Team0:23:14.8246:39.9
3203Elinor Barker MBEUno-X Mobility0:23:32.7347:08.7
4204Pfeiffer GeorgiTeam DSM-Firmenich PostNL0:23:44.1147:42.0
5205Elynor BackstedtLidl-TREK0:24:26.0248:14.5
6202Anna MorrisWardPerformanceUK.com0:23:44.2648:57.2
7208Hayley SimmondsDoltcini – O’Shea0:24:24.3349:27.9
8222Lucy LeeDAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK0:25:12.4850:26.3
9214Dame Sarah StoreyStorey Racing0:25:10.8650:36.5
10209Alice WoodHuman Powered Health0:24:58.9850:42.7
11212Tamsin MillerDAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK0:25:25.0551:03.0
12221Alex MorriceCANYON // SRAM Racing Team0:25:29.1251:08.0
13225Dannielle WatkinsonJadan Vive le Velo Glasdon51:30.0
14211Monica GreenwoodTeam Coop Repsol0:25:34.2951:41.3
15215April TaceyTeam Coop Repsol0:25:41.8951:49.5
16230Rachel BrownBrother UK – On Form52:13.0
17213Miriam JessettLoughborough Lightning0:25:43.1052:24.3
18220Lucy HarrisLoughborough Lightning0:26:15.8553:02.2
19229Victoria SmithAlba Development Road Team54:19.2
20223Laura PittardFTP-Fulfil The Potential-Racing0:27:00.9954:50.1
21227Anna WeaverTeam Kirkley Cycles54:56.1

Elite Men

Defending champion Joshua Tarling of Ineos Grenadiers set a blistering pace early on, clocking the fastest split time of 19:21.42, demonstrating from the outset why the European time trial was the outstanding favourite once again. His time was almost a minute ahead of his closest challenger, Samuel Watson of Groupama – FDJ, who posted a time of 20:15.30.

2024 Lloyds Bank National Individual Time Trial Championships – Elite and U23 Men – Catterick, North Yorkshire – Samuel Watson, GROUPAMA – FDJ. Image: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com

With Tarling seemingly set for another time trial title, a fierce battle for was developing for the remaining podium places, with four riders clocking split times within ten seconds of Watson’s mark. Hot on his heels was Ethan Hayter, also from Ineos Grenadiers, with a near-identical split of 20:15.62.

Astana Qazaqstan Development Team’s Max Walker secured the fourth-fastest split with 20:17.98, followed closely by another Ineos Grenadiers rider, Connor Swift, at 20:19.55. Ethan Vernon of Israel – Premier Tech completed the top six with a split time of 20:23.00, maintaining a competitive pace.

As the race progressed, Tarling’s dominance only became more apparent. He not only maintained his fearsome pace but also caught and passed his two-minute man, Charlie Tanfield (Saint Piran), a feat that underscored his exceptional performance. Tarling ultimately crossed the finish line with a winning time of 39:21.5, averaging a remarkable speed of 45.74 km/h, solidifying his status as the national champion.

2024 Lloyds Bank National Individual Time Trial Championships – Elite and U23 Men – Catterick, North Yorkshire – Joshua Tarling, Ineos Grenadiers. Image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com

Walker secured a surprise silver medal with a final time of 40:35.4, the Manxman securing one of his finest results yet, only ceding 18 seconds to Tarling on lap two.

The battle for the final podium spot was intensely contested, with Vernon of Israel – Premier Tech emerging victorious. Vernon clocked a final time of 40:45.7, edging out early contender Watson, who finished fourth with a time of 40:58.3 and an average speed of 43.94 km/h.

Connor Swift of Ineos Grenadiers finished in fifth place with a time of 41:09.4, followed by Oliver Knight of Cofidis, who clocked 41:19.5. Hayter, who had been in contention for a podium spot at the halfway mark, slipped to seventh, finishing with a time of 41:34.4.

“It was hard,” Tarling told The British Continental after he’d won. “It was a lot longer than last year, not in k but just in effort, it was a lot grippier. There wasn’t a lot of recovery because even the descent, it was messy, so you’re still concentrating. It was, like, being switched on for 40 minutes.”

What does the immediate future hold for Tarling? “Hopefully the Olympics,” he said, “and we’ll see from there. Maybe worlds, maybe the Vuelta I’d like to do. I know there’s a prologue in that, but it’s a bit of a grim one, so we’ll see!”

Joe Hudson speaks with Josh Tarling

Results

PosBibNameTeam15km SplitTime
1301Joshua TarlingIneos Grenadiers0:19:21.4239:21.5
2312Max WalkerAstana Qazaqstan Development Team0:20:17.9840:35.4
3304Ethan VernonIsrael – Premier Tech0:20:23.0040:45.7
4308Samuel WatsonGROUPAMA – FDJ0:20:15.3040:58.3
5305Connor SwiftIneos Grenadiers0:20:19.5541:09.4
6319Oliver KnightCofidis0:20:56.1341:19.5
7303Ethan HayterIneos Grenadiers0:20:15.6241:34.4
8310Finlay PickeringBahrain-Victorious0:20:49.0541:36.2
9302Charlie TanfieldSaint Piran0:20:52.4242:22.3
10316Zeb KyffinTDT-UNIBET0:21:13.0442:23.6
11309Michael GillRichardsons Trek DAS0:21:54.1043:24.8
12311William PerrettSpirit TBW Stuart Hall Cycling0:21:56.4543:58.4
13320William RobertsSaint Piran0:21:59.3243:58.8
14314Oliver ReesSabgal/Anicolor0:22:13.3943:59.5
15317Toby TanfieldClub Ciclista Padronés-Equipo-Alumínios Cortizo0:22:03.5044:04.2
16322Alexander PritchardRichardsons Trek DAS0:22:28.1644:43.3
17327Ben PeaseMoonglu Race Team0:22:20.0044:51.2
18325Nicholas TrbovicElysium Kalas Race Team0:22:42.7445:34.3
19321Oliver HucksTAAP Kalas0:22:46.0845:54.0
20315Timothy TorrietrainSharp Orro Elite0:22:46.2946:13.2
21323William BjergfeltPronto Bikes0:23:17.5646:44.0
22326Finlay GrahamPara-T0:23:11.7346:46.6
23318Paul BurtonPaceline RT0:23:08.7646:52.8
24329Joshua KnowlesTAAP Kalas0:23:17.4947:43.7
 – 306John ArchibaldHUUB WattShopWithdrawal

U23 Men

The U23 Men’s time trial was a nail bitingly close contest. At the halfway split, only a slim margin separated the top seven riders, emphasising the highly competitive nature of the event.

2024 Lloyds Bank National Individual Time Trial Championships – Elite and U23 Men – Catterick, North Yorkshire – Ben Wiggins, Hagens Berman Jayco CT. Image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com

First year under-23 Ben Wiggins of Hagens Berman Jayco CT, son of racing legend Bradley, led the charge with a split time of 20:57.35, showcasing his strong form early in the race. Hot on his heels was Jamie Whitcher from BmthCycleworks VitecFire FordCE, trailing by just over four seconds with a time of 21:01.68.

The battle for the podium was intensely close, with Cormac Nisbet of Soudal-Quickstep Devo Team clocking in at 21:07.55, securing the third spot at the halfway point. Following closely were Tomos Pattinson of Team Visma-Lease a Bike Development and Rowan Baker of Saint Piran, separated by a mere second at 21:08.98 and 21:09.41, respectively.

Mattie Dodd from Tirol KTM Cycling Team and Joshua Giddings of Lotto Dstny Development Team rounded out the top eight, with Dodd posting a time of 21:09.57 and Giddings at 21:12.17. Remarkably, just under fifteen seconds spanned the gap between the leader and the eight-placed rider, underlining the razor-thin margins that defined the early stages of this time trial.

Jack Brough (AVC Aix en Provence) and the defending champion Josh Charlton (TRINITY Racing) rounded out the halfway top ten, all within 20 seconds of Wiggins’ benchmark.

2024 Lloyds Bank National Individual Time Trial Championships – Elite and U23 Men – Catterick, North Yorkshire – Team Visma-Lease a Bike Development. Image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com

Wiggins couldn’t hold on, however, as Pattinson emerged victorious after a powerful final lap to complete the course in stellar final time of 42:06.9, averaging an impressive speed of 42.76 km/h, a result which could have earned him a top ten in the elite race. Pattinson, who was in fifth place at the halfway split with a time of 21:08.98, only stepped up to the under-23 ranks this season and this marks his first win since leaving the juniors.

Wiggins finished strong to secure silver with a final time of 42:16.6, another impressive ride from an under-23 debutant. Golliker maintained his third-place position from the halfway split, finishing with a time of 42:24.2, while another Joshua, Giddings, who was in eighth place at the halfway mark, made a significant push in the final stretch to finish fourth with a time of 42:26.1.

Our journal contributor Mattie Dodd rounded out the top five, finishing with a time of 42:31.9.

Victory came as a surprise to Pattinson, who wasn’t expecting to come out on top, considering his opposition, telling The British Continental: “The fact that I didn’t expect to win here makes it feel even better. There were some really good riders like Ben and Josh on the podium with me.”

Success also affirmed his decision to refine his time trialling technique. Having trailed at the 15km split, holding his nerve – and pace – proved key. He explained: “Before, even last year in the Juniors, I used to go out and hit it. So I made sure that I was quite relaxed on the first climb but at a decent pace so I knew the second time round that I could do the same and yeah, I did that and it was really good!”

Joe Hudson talks to Tomos Pattinson

Results

PosBibNameTeam15km SplitTime
1416Tomos PattinsonTeam Visma-Lease a Bike Development0:21:08.9842:06.9
2408Ben WigginsHagens Berman Jayco CT0:20:57.3542:16.6
3402Joshua GollikerGroupama-FDJ La Conti0:21:07.2442:24.2
4405Joshua GiddingsLotto Dstny Development Team0:21:12.1742:26.1
5433Mattie DoddTirol KTM Cycling Team0:21:09.5742:31.9
6417Cormac NisbetSoudal-Quickstep Devo Team0:21:07.5542:36.2
7410Rowan BakerSaint Piran0:21:09.4142:55.8
8409Jamie WhitcherBmthCycleworks VitecFire FordCE0:21:01.6842:56.5
9403Jack BroughAVC Aix en Provence0:21:15.4442:59.5
10404Noah HobbsGroupama-FDJ La Conti0:21:27.7343:19.6
11401Josh CharltonTrinity Racing0:21:16.3743:21.2
12421Tyler HannaySaint Piran0:21:57.3143:41.6
13407Matthew BrennanTeam Visma-Lease a Bike Development0:21:25.4043:42.2
14436Alex PickeringElysium Kalas Race Team0:21:27.8743:43.1
15425Hamish ArmittPROJECT 1 Cycling Team0:21:31.5243:44.2
16423Lucas JowettKSV Deerlijk VZW0:21:54.2643:53.0
17411Alex BeldonTrinity Racing0:21:42.1143:53.2
18414Oliver PeaceDevelopment Team DSM–Firmenich PostNL0:21:41.8743:53.5
19422Ben MarshPROJECT 1 Cycling Team0:21:44.7543:54.1
20415Matthew ColeHagens Berman Jayco CT0:21:39.4243:59.9
21428Tom WilliamsTHRIVA-SRCT0:21:54.7644:29.3
22412Jed SmithsonTeam Visma-Lease a Bike Development0:22:08.9245:29.5
23426Dexter Leeming-SykesTeam U Charente-Maritime0:22:49.6245:30.4
24435Sam ChaplinCycling Sheffield45:43.9
25429Joe ShillabeerShibden-A.Fawcett RT0:22:18.8745:52.4
26437Harry CoddUniversity of Bath Cycling Club0:22:43.6845:53.5
27434Ewan MackieEFC – L&R – Van Mossel0:22:53.6546:16.6
28431Aaron FreemanLondon Dynamo0:23:10.1346:23.7
29438Ollie CadinCardiff University0:23:08.9948:53.5
30419Reuben CorlettAC Pays de Baud0:24:43.4551:12.5
 – 427Jack REEDWithdrawal
 – 424William LowdenHUUB WattShopWithdrawal

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