A look ahead to the 2017 National Road Championships
Leisure Lakes Bikes, a major supplier of road bikes , has provided a preview of the 2017 British Cycling National Road Championships in June. It will be held on the Isle of Man and you can expect some very exciting road racing to take place, if last year was any indication.
Reflecting on the 2016 National Road Championships
Taking a look back on the previous National Road Championships, there was quite a bit of drama, some exciting racing and a few surprise maiden winners. This all added to the championships being one of the great events on the cycling calendar.
The men’s road race
Adam Blythe was the first one to start the list of new winners when he won his maiden national champion’s road race. He started making some moves and was well positioned with three laps to go. He first needed to catch the lead group who had extended a 10 second break into one of a minute and half.
Alongside former world champ, Mark Cavendish, they made up the time and joined the leading group. The finish line was in the city centre, and both Cavendish and Blythe took off for a sprint to the line. In the falling rain, Blythe was victorious for the first time.
The women’s road race
Woman rider, Hannah Barnes, riding for the Canyon SRAM team, also recorded her first road race championship win, in a race where she had to beat her sister in a sprint to the line. Hannah was able to stay with the leading pack for most of the race and when it was time to go for the win, her leading group had a 50 second advantage over the rest of the field.
The winner was to come from that group and it was in that group which champion rider Dame Sarah Storey was also riding. But Hannah prevailed and won her first championship.
The time trial races
Alex Dowsett was the star performer in the time trial races winning an unprecedented fifth British time trial championship. He won by over a minute. In the under-23 section, Scott Davies proved hard to beat for the third consecutive year.
Early insights into the 2017 National Road Championships
Entries are still open for the championship and in fact, you can enter any of the races here if you would like to be a part of the action. With the courses already revealed by British Cycling, spectators and competitors can start making their preparations.
The director of cycling at British Cycling, stated that: “The Isle of Man is steeped in cycling history, and we are delighted to be able to announce a route for the 2017 HSBC UK / National Road Championships which incorporates some of the island’s most famous sites.
“This will not only provide a fitting acknowledgement of the island’s sporting heritage, but will also give spectators the best possible opportunity to view what is sure to be a fantastic two days of racing.”