Nationals week is one of our favourite times of the year here at The British Continental. A rare opportunity for the best domestic riders to test themselves against Britain’s WorldTour elite, as riders do battle to win the national stripes.
Hosted by Redcar and Cleveland, this year’s National Road Championships takes place from 21 to 25 June. As is now customary, the time trials open proceedings, with four titles up for grabs.
This preview takes a closer look at the time trials, giving you the lowdown on the route, contenders, timings, live coverage and more.
What is it?
An annual contest to decide the best time trialists (men, women, elite, U23) in the country. The winners get to wear the fabled national stripes on their time trial skinsuits for the following year. Four jerseys are up for grabs, one each for under-23 women, under-23 men, elite women, and elite men.
The men’s national time trial championships go as far back as 1995, with the women’s championships starting in 2000. The U23 contest for men began in 2004, while the women have only had just four dedicated U23 competitions to date: in 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2022.
Alex Dowsett and Stuart Dangerfield hold the record for the number of wins in the men’s elite competition (6), while Wendy Houvenaghel has the most women’s competition victories (4).
Last year the respective winners were Ethan Hayter (men’s elite), Joss Lowden (women’s elite), Leo Hayter (men’s U23) and Pfeiffer Georgi (women’s U23).
Course
The time trial course starts and finishes in the pit lane at Croft Circuit, a 3.3km motor racing circuit with a tight hairpin bend to negotiate.
Once the circuit is completed, the route then moves to a longer 10.3km lap around the picturesque roads of Dalton-on-Tees.
With less than 50 metres of climbing per lap on the main circuit, the course should be fast. In its press release about the route, British Cycling predicts it “will be one of the fastest courses the national championships has ever seen.”
The under-23 women, under-23 men, and elite women will set a time over two laps of the longer circuit, plus the Croft Circuit, covering 27.4km in total. The elite men, meanwhile, will complete three laps of the longer circuit along with the Croft Circuit, equating to 41.1km overall.
With last year’s winner Leo Hayter not racing (he has ‘aged out’ and has now withdrawn from the elite event), a new U23 time trial champion will be crowned this year.
Two obvious contenders for the crown are Callum Thornley (TRINITY Racing) and Charles Bailey (Foran CCC), who were second and third last year respectively. Thornley comes into the event after racing the Giro Next Gen, an approach that has served past winners like Leo Hayter and Charlie Quarterman well. Bailey’s form is more unknown. His race days have been sparse this year, second at the Olveston Grand Prix and at the Gullegem kermesse his best results.
Picture by Zac Williams/SWpix.com- 23/06/2022 – Cycling – British Cycling National Championships 2022 – U23 Men’s Time Trial – Dumfries and Galloway – Scotland – Callum Thornley rides to 2nd.
Who else to watch? Sam Clark (trainSharp) leads the espoir category in the Spindata time trial rankings. Ollie Rees (TRINITY Racing) and Josh Charlton (Saint Piran) both scored top tens in the recent Course de la Paix prologue and should be suited to this fast, flat course. Josh Giddings (Lotto-DSTNY Development Team) was also in the top ten that day and was third on the stage 1 time trial at the Olympia’s Tour, besting Charlie Tanfield.
U23 women’s trial
A very small U23 field means there are only eight competitors at the time of writing.
Our favourite is Lucy Gadd (Stade Rochelais Charente-Maritime). Gadd was third last year and is the best-ranked espoir in the Spindata time trial rankings.
Picture by Zac Williams/SWpix.com- 23/06/2022 – Cycling – British Cycling National Championships 2022 – U23 Women’s Time Trial – Dumfries and Galloway – Scotland – Lucy Gadd, Storey Racing.
Abi Smith (EF Education-TIBCO-SVB) would normally be our prime pick but she has had a challenging year with a knee injury, so is unlikely to be back at her brilliant best.
Beyond that, our journal contributor Flora Perkins (Fenix-Deceuninck Development Team) is an immensely capable rider and should challenge for a podium, as should Maddie Leech (Lifeplus Wahoo) and Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix winner Robyn Clay (Pro-Noctis – Heidi Kjeldsen – 200 Degrees Coffee).
Men’s elite time trial
The men’s event feels as open as ever. Reigning champion Ethan Hayter is not yet back from a collarbone break at the Critérium du Dauphiné, while another big name, Hayter’s teammate Geraint Thomas, has also withdrawn. Hayter’s brother Leo – an excellent tester – is another withdrawal, whittling down the competition still further.
This leaves Dan Bigham (HUUB Wattshop), James Shaw (EF Education-Easypost), and Fred Wright (Bahrain-Victorious) as the main title favourites. Bigham was second last year and is renowned for his attention to detail and his ability to get the best out of himself and his equipment. He has done little competition racing this year though, so his form is unknown.
Shaw has been on the podium for the last two years running. He was 17th in the time trial at the recent Critérium du Dauphiné where he acquitted himself well overall. Another podium should be within his grasp.
Picture by Zac Williams/SWpix.com- 1/07/2022 – Cycling – 2022 Tour De France – Stage 1 ITT – Copenhagen – Denmark – Fred Wright, Bahrain Victorious.
Wright is our favourite for this event. He was a superb 4th at the Dauphiné and won silver at the Commonwealth Games time trial last year. He’s in excellent shape, so it’s probably his race to lose.
John Archibald (HUUB WattShop), Ethan Vernon (Soudal Quickstep) and Connor Swift (Ineos Grenadiers) are all podium possibilities, while local rider Charlie Tanfield (Saint Piran) is motivated to get a good result before he turns his attention back to the track worlds in August.
Women’s elite time trial
Anna Henderson (Jumbo-Visma) is our pick to regain the title she won in 2021. The Commonwealth Games time trial silver medallist has not done a competitive ITT this season, but her road form looks strong, so we rank her as the rider most likely to win.
Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com – 23/06/2022 – British Cycling – National Road Championships – The Crichton, Dumfries, Scotland – Anna Henderson of Jumbo Visma during the Elite Women’s Time Trial.
Her closest rivals are likely to be Pfeiffer Georgi (Team DSM)and Lizzie Holden (UAE Team ADQ). Georgi won the U23 title last year and is having her best season yet on the road, with two UCI road race wins including the Classic Brugge-De Panne, a WolrdTour race. Holden was third in this event last year and has had a very consistent year so far.
Elinor Barker (Uno-X Pro Cycling) and Elynor Backstedt (Trek-Segafredo) should not be discounted, while Emily Meakin (AWOL O’Shea) and Anna Morris (WardPerformanceUK.com) are among the domestic-based riders who should go well.
Timings
Men’s U23: first rider off at 9.10.
Women’s U23: first rider off at 10.15.
Women’s elite: first rider off at 12.50.
Men’s elite: first rider off at 14.10.
The startlist has the start times for each individual rider.
How to follow
There is no live TV coverage of the time trial but there will be live timing here and live updates via British Cycling’s social media channels. We will also be providing updates on our own Instagram feed.
Highlights will follow on ITV4 on Wednesday 28 June at 6pm.
Weather
Occasional light rain showers and a moderate breeze could interrupt riders’ flow on what is otherwise forecast to be a warm sunny day.
Nationals week is one of our favourite times of the year here at The British Continental. A rare opportunity for the best domestic riders to test themselves against Britain’s WorldTour elite, as riders do battle to win the national stripes.
Hosted by Redcar and Cleveland, this year’s National Road Championships takes place from 21 to 25 June. As is now customary, the time trials open proceedings, with four titles up for grabs.
This preview takes a closer look at the time trials, giving you the lowdown on the route, contenders, timings, live coverage and more.
What is it?
An annual contest to decide the best time trialists (men, women, elite, U23) in the country. The winners get to wear the fabled national stripes on their time trial skinsuits for the following year. Four jerseys are up for grabs, one each for under-23 women, under-23 men, elite women, and elite men.
The men’s national time trial championships go as far back as 1995, with the women’s championships starting in 2000. The U23 contest for men began in 2004, while the women have only had just four dedicated U23 competitions to date: in 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2022.
Alex Dowsett and Stuart Dangerfield hold the record for the number of wins in the men’s elite competition (6), while Wendy Houvenaghel has the most women’s competition victories (4).
Last year the respective winners were Ethan Hayter (men’s elite), Joss Lowden (women’s elite), Leo Hayter (men’s U23) and Pfeiffer Georgi (women’s U23).
Course
The time trial course starts and finishes in the pit lane at Croft Circuit, a 3.3km motor racing circuit with a tight hairpin bend to negotiate.
Once the circuit is completed, the route then moves to a longer 10.3km lap around the picturesque roads of Dalton-on-Tees.
With less than 50 metres of climbing per lap on the main circuit, the course should be fast. In its press release about the route, British Cycling predicts it “will be one of the fastest courses the national championships has ever seen.”
The under-23 women, under-23 men, and elite women will set a time over two laps of the longer circuit, plus the Croft Circuit, covering 27.4km in total. The elite men, meanwhile, will complete three laps of the longer circuit along with the Croft Circuit, equating to 41.1km overall.
Contenders
You can view the latest startlists here.
U23 men’s time trial
With last year’s winner Leo Hayter not racing (he has ‘aged out’ and has now withdrawn from the elite event), a new U23 time trial champion will be crowned this year.
Two obvious contenders for the crown are Callum Thornley (TRINITY Racing) and Charles Bailey (Foran CCC), who were second and third last year respectively. Thornley comes into the event after racing the Giro Next Gen, an approach that has served past winners like Leo Hayter and Charlie Quarterman well. Bailey’s form is more unknown. His race days have been sparse this year, second at the Olveston Grand Prix and at the Gullegem kermesse his best results.
Who else to watch? Sam Clark (trainSharp) leads the espoir category in the Spindata time trial rankings. Ollie Rees (TRINITY Racing) and Josh Charlton (Saint Piran) both scored top tens in the recent Course de la Paix prologue and should be suited to this fast, flat course. Josh Giddings (Lotto-DSTNY Development Team) was also in the top ten that day and was third on the stage 1 time trial at the Olympia’s Tour, besting Charlie Tanfield.
U23 women’s trial
A very small U23 field means there are only eight competitors at the time of writing.
Our favourite is Lucy Gadd (Stade Rochelais Charente-Maritime). Gadd was third last year and is the best-ranked espoir in the Spindata time trial rankings.
Abi Smith (EF Education-TIBCO-SVB) would normally be our prime pick but she has had a challenging year with a knee injury, so is unlikely to be back at her brilliant best.
Beyond that, our journal contributor Flora Perkins (Fenix-Deceuninck Development Team) is an immensely capable rider and should challenge for a podium, as should Maddie Leech (Lifeplus Wahoo) and Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix winner Robyn Clay (Pro-Noctis – Heidi Kjeldsen – 200 Degrees Coffee).
Men’s elite time trial
The men’s event feels as open as ever. Reigning champion Ethan Hayter is not yet back from a collarbone break at the Critérium du Dauphiné, while another big name, Hayter’s teammate Geraint Thomas, has also withdrawn. Hayter’s brother Leo – an excellent tester – is another withdrawal, whittling down the competition still further.
This leaves Dan Bigham (HUUB Wattshop), James Shaw (EF Education-Easypost), and Fred Wright (Bahrain-Victorious) as the main title favourites. Bigham was second last year and is renowned for his attention to detail and his ability to get the best out of himself and his equipment. He has done little competition racing this year though, so his form is unknown.
Shaw has been on the podium for the last two years running. He was 17th in the time trial at the recent Critérium du Dauphiné where he acquitted himself well overall. Another podium should be within his grasp.
Wright is our favourite for this event. He was a superb 4th at the Dauphiné and won silver at the Commonwealth Games time trial last year. He’s in excellent shape, so it’s probably his race to lose.
John Archibald (HUUB WattShop), Ethan Vernon (Soudal Quickstep) and Connor Swift (Ineos Grenadiers) are all podium possibilities, while local rider Charlie Tanfield (Saint Piran) is motivated to get a good result before he turns his attention back to the track worlds in August.
Women’s elite time trial
Anna Henderson (Jumbo-Visma) is our pick to regain the title she won in 2021. The Commonwealth Games time trial silver medallist has not done a competitive ITT this season, but her road form looks strong, so we rank her as the rider most likely to win.
Her closest rivals are likely to be Pfeiffer Georgi (Team DSM)and Lizzie Holden (UAE Team ADQ). Georgi won the U23 title last year and is having her best season yet on the road, with two UCI road race wins including the Classic Brugge-De Panne, a WolrdTour race. Holden was third in this event last year and has had a very consistent year so far.
Elinor Barker (Uno-X Pro Cycling) and Elynor Backstedt (Trek-Segafredo) should not be discounted, while Emily Meakin (AWOL O’Shea) and Anna Morris (WardPerformanceUK.com) are among the domestic-based riders who should go well.
Timings
Men’s U23: first rider off at 9.10.
Women’s U23: first rider off at 10.15.
Women’s elite: first rider off at 12.50.
Men’s elite: first rider off at 14.10.
The startlist has the start times for each individual rider.
How to follow
There is no live TV coverage of the time trial but there will be live timing here and live updates via British Cycling’s social media channels. We will also be providing updates on our own Instagram feed.
Highlights will follow on ITV4 on Wednesday 28 June at 6pm.
Weather
Occasional light rain showers and a moderate breeze could interrupt riders’ flow on what is otherwise forecast to be a warm sunny day.
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