British Time Trial Championships

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Courageous ride from Alex Dowsett to win the Mens title caps a top day at the 2013 British Time Trial Championships in Scotland

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Above: Alex Dowsett climbs his way from the start with a crash not long after making his defence of the title he had won twice before a difficult and painful one in lots of ways.

The 2013 British Time Trial Championships organised by Scottish Cycling in the town of Stewarton (Ayreshire), a county synonymous with cycling, saw one of the Worlds top time trialists Alex Dowsett (Movistar) battle his way to victory after an early crash saw him battered and bruised.

With a tyre problem felling Dowsett early on the first lap, he had to change from his black Pinarello to the dark blue one and such is the strength of British Time Trialling, Dowsett, a winner of a Grand Tour stage (Giro) this year) had to battle hard to beat the likes of top domestic time trialist Matt Bottrill (Drag2ero) who did his sponsors proud and world tour rider Ben Swift (Sky).

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Watched by a big crowd, and with a police escort and following car, Dowsett crossed the line just 21 seconds up on Bottrill. Losing perhaps a minute with a very swift bike change (so quick he didn’t even notice the new bike coming), it was an awesome ride when all his big rivals gave everything on a calm but warm day.

Alex Dowsett: “I was up quick after the crash. My hands were suffering the most, I couldn’t grip the bars. I just had to grin and bear it. When I first took this jersey, I think it was Wiggins who said ‘whoever takes this is only looking after this for me’ but I’m going to have this for three years now and I’m becoming quite attached to it.” See the Audio interview for six minutes of chat with the three time champion below….

Dowsett’s win capped an exciting competition where Joanna Rowsell won her race by 32 seconds from Olympic Silver medallist Lizzie Armistead and Katie Colclough showing just what a talent she is. Joanna Rowsell said after “I was quoted in the media that I was focussing on the road this year, but actually I just wanted a break over the winter, just a normal winter rather than trying to peak for the track worlds in February.”

“But to be honest I felt a bit lost at the start of the season, I didn’t know if I’d be out of the back or what. So I set this as a target quite early in the season just because it was something I knew I could come and do. Initially I was quite worried about the distance being 22 miles, but now I think they suit me actually.” See the Audio interview below with the new Women’s  champion below…

In the Under 23 Men’s, GB Academy rider Sam Harrison defeated the 25 Champion Joe Perrett (IG Sigma Sport) by 23 seconds as these two had the title race to themselves with George Atkins (GB Academy) third at a minute 25. Harrison said afterwards “It’s always good when there’s a good standard field to pull off the win. I felt bad in the week coming up, but I’d been targeting and training for it for a while and I was hoping that on the day I could pull it off so luckily I was on a good day. See the Audio interview below with the new Women’s  champion below…

Overall, it had been a mixed day for the championships. The field had a very different look to it from those days of old with a lot less numbers, no vets category and even the Elite race thin on the ground with numbers but the quality easy to see.

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The riders like Matt Bottrill gave their all to be the best they could be on the day. 

That said, being held in the same week as the road champs was welcomed by the world tour pros. The event was well supported by locals too. Opposite me, I watched local residents set up on their lawns to clap the riders through, with so many children enjoying the spectacle. The crowd on the finish straight was also a lot bigger than normal. The police and NEG escort is new and welcome as is following cars. I can’t help but feel if you merged the old with the new the event would be perfect!

My thanks to those in Scottish Cycling for their help on the day. It is very much appreciated!

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Stars of the future, George Atkins, Sam Harrison  and Joe Perrett. The average speed for these riders was only slightly off that of the seniors and look out for these names in years to come.

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Above: It was scary to see the state of Alex Dowsett when he finished, shaking with shock perhaps, cut and bruised, the ride to win the title was top drawer.

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Above: Matt Bottrill, a full time worker for the Post office, on the black Giant and racing to Silver behind WorldTour rider Alex Dowsett.

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The Women’s field was certainly stronger in depth than the mens with World & Olympic champions. Joanna Rowsell (centre) won from Lizzie Armitstead  (left) and Katie Colclough (right).

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The lads know how to party, George Atkins and Sam Harrison soak themselves in champagne.

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Second year pro Luke Rowe turned himself inside out to try and get a medal in the senior event

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One of the race favourites Julia Shaw didn’t have a great day on the bike with 10th.

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Joanna Rowsell races past a modern estate on the outskirts of Stewarton on her Colnago bike

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Looking smooth and cool, Olympic medallist on the road Lizzie Armitstead didn’t seem that confident before the start but as ever turned out a great ride to challenge Rowsell.

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Joe Perrett who gave it everything but had to give best to Sam Harrison in a close battle

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French based rider Doug Dewey crossed the line in a medal position and pleased with his ride against the country’s best, finishing just 32 seconds behind Dowsett but out of the medals. Doug is coached by valued VeloUK advertiser Trainsharp

Live Photos 

Preview & Start Sheets Here

INTERVIEWS (audio now, written later!)

Alex Dowsett

Matt Bottrill (2nd, Mens Championship

Ben Swift (3rd)

Sam Harrison (1st Under 23)

Joe Perrett (2nd Under 23 Mens)

George Atkins (3rd, under 23)

Joanna Rowsell (Winner, Womens)

Katie Colclough (3rd, Womens)

Lizzie Armitstead (Second, Womens)

RESULTS

Mens
1. Alex Dowsett, Movistar 1.02.30
(47.2 k an hour including crash and change of bike)
2. Matt Bottrill, Drag2Zero @21 secs
3. Ben Swift,Team Sky @ 21
4. Douglas Dewey, Hennebont Cyclisme, @ 32
5. Luke Rowe, Team Sky, @ 49
6. James Gullen, Hope Factory RT @ 1.21
7. James McLaughlin Team Sojasun @ 1.50
8. Ben Peacock, Paisley velo RT @2.16
9. Chris Opie, Team Uk Youth @2.25
10. Rob Partridge, Team UK Youth 2.33
11. Simon Bridge, Manchester Wheelers
12. Iain Grant, Dooleys Cycles @2.44
13. Alistair Rutherford, Wheelbase @3.31
14. Ed perry, Ellan Vannin CC @3.58
15. Alan Thomson, Sandy Wallace Cycles @4.13
16. Darren Bell, Ellan Vannin CC @4.16
17. Tom Black Manx telecom, @4.22
18. Authur Doyle, Dooley Cycles @4.33
19. Scott Burns, Manchester Wheelers @5.17
20. Will Bjergfelt, MG Maxifuel @5.37
21. Gerry McGarrity Invercllyde Velo @5.41
22. Silas Goldworth, Sandy Wallace Cycles, @6.21
23. Sean Childs, Roy Navy & Marines @6.42
24. James Cusick, Glasgow Couriers @6.50
25. Gavin Shirley, Dooleys Cycles @6.55
26. Jerry Cross, Manchester Wheelers @7.17
27. Graham Hatcher Fietsen Tempo @7.41
28. David Watson, Coventry RC @8.39
29. Mark Skilly, Aye Roads CC @8.46
30. Christopher Staples Fullarton Wheelers @ 10.29

WOMEN
1. Joanna Rowsell, Wiggle Honda 49.25
2. Lizzie Armitstead, Boels Dolmans @ 32 secs
3. Katie Colclough, Specialized Lulueemon @1.37
4. Emma Trott, Boels Dolmans @1.56
5. Laura Trott, Wiggle Honda @2.01
6. Lucy Coldwell, @2.15
7. Elinor Barker, Wiggle Honda @2.17
8. Anna Turvey, Tyneside Vagbonds CC @2.38
9. Hannah Barnes, MG Maxifuel @2.57
10. Julia Shaw, Drag2ero @3.19
11. Rebecca Slack, Look Mum No Hands @3.47
12. Natalie Creswick,Look Mum No Hands @3.48
13. Dani King, Wiggle Honda, @3.50
14. Emma Grant, Matrix Fitness @4.37
15. Katie Archibald, City of Edinburgh, @4.59
16. Fiona Duncan, Ythan CC @5.02
17. Hayley Simmonds, GB Cycles @5.04
18. Molly Weaver, Breast Cancer care @5.32
19. Joanne Blakeley, Maxgear @6.08
20. Rebecca Rimmington, @6.22
21. Anda-Jay Burgess Sandy Wallace Cycles @6.28
22. Amy Roberts, Wiggle Honda @6.34
23. jennifer Taylor, Velo Ecosse @6.38
24. Helen McKay, Look Mum No Hands @7.24
25. Joanna Smith @8.47
26. Lynne Wardrop, Ayr Roads CC @9.08
27. Danielle Christmas ASL360 @9.13
28. Laura Wasley, Scott Contessa Epic @10.04
29. Valerie Martin, Dooleys Cycles @11.04
30. Laura Nicholson, Moray Firth CC 11.18
31. Elanor Welwyn Wheelers CC @11.31

Under 23 Men

1. Sam Harrison, GB Academy 44:47
2. Joe Perrett, IG Sigma Sport @23
3. George Atkins, GB Academy @01:24
4. Dan McLay, Lotto Belisol U23 @2:04
5. Jon Dibben, GB Academy @2:41
6. Jon Mould, UK Youth @2:55
7. Josh Teasdale Terra Footwear @3:26
8. Liam Glen Wheelbase @3:40
9. Elliott Porter, Rapha Condor JLT @3:41
10. Ed Laverack Rapha Condor JLT @3:42
11. Sebastian Baylis, Madison Genesis @ @4.05
12. Will Stephenson, Rapha Condor JLT @4.34
13. Alexander Royle, Banjo Cycles @5.16
14. Edward Clemens Spirit Bikes @5.34
15. Michael Barnes, Aprire Bikes @5.50
16. Duncan Ewing, Bicycle Works @6.20
17. Jack Waller, Spirit Bikes @6.39
18. John Findley Bikk Nickson Cycles 6.46
19. Chris Dredge, Sirit Bikes @6.46
20. Finlay Young, Velo Ecosse @7.21
21. Jake Coward, Rapha Condor CC @ 10.15
22. Josh Burke Wolverhampton Wh @12.40

 

 

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