Simmonds defends time trial title in style

BySportsbeat

Published 23/06/2016 at 18:45 GMT

Hayley Simmonds claims a second national title was even more special than the first after defending her time trial crown at the British Cycling National Road Race Championships in Stockton-on-Tees.

Eurosport

Image credit: Eurosport

Having triumphed for the first time 12 months ago, Simmonds set off last this year and produced a dominating performance to push Claire Rose into second with Dame Sarah Storey coming third and Emma Pooley fourth.

The 27-year-old's time of 47:33.357 minutes around the 34.8km course was more than 40 seconds better than Rose and almost a minute quicker than three-time winner Pooley – who is expected to be named in Team GB's Olympic squad for the road race this Friday.

And while Simmonds admits she lost track of time out on the course, she is adamant that the quality of opposition means she is even happier at eventually triumphing than in 2015.

Tour de Romandie

McNulty claims second individual time trial victory of the season at Stage 3

00:01:32

4 hours ago

"It's more special second time around," said Simmonds. "This year, Emma was coming back and Claire was riding full time. Claire is always a big threat.

"I had a few time checks but it was hard to hear what was going on. Someone I know was on the middle roundabout of the three as I was coming back towards town and I heard him yell "you're up".

"But I wasn't sure if he meant I was up against Emma or up against Claire, I didn't know what was going on!"

Sportsbeat 2016

La Vuelta Femenina