Alex Dowsett defends British national time-trial title
By Andy Charles
Last Updated: 23/06/16 9:28pm
Alex Dowsett is the British time-trial champion for a fifth time after a dominant display in Stockton-on-Tees on a day when all three main titles were successfully defended.
Dowsett (Movistar) retained his title with ease, beating runner-up James Gullen by a minute and 16 seconds and making it five victories in the last six seasons.
The 27-year-old has only been beaten by Sir Bradley Wiggins - the champion in 2014 - since claiming his first title in 2011 and he completed the 46.4km course in 55 minutes 38 seconds.
Gullen (Pedal Heaven) produced a much-improved display to take second as he had been beaten by nearly seven minutes by Dowsett in last year's race.
Ryan Perry finished third, more than two minutes down, but the field was lacking a number of domestic stars including 2015 runner-up Ed Bradbury and track pursuit riders Owain Doull and Steven Burke.
"Win No 5 is as special as the first," Dowsett said. "I get to wear this jersey for another year. It went very smoothly, and it is a fantastic course. Stockton should be hugely proud of what they put on."
Earlier in the day, Scott Davies (Team Wiggins) won the U23 title for the third successive year.
But Davies was run close by Tao Geoghegan Hart (Axeon Hagens Berman), who produced a fine ride to finish within 19 seconds of the winner. Gabriel Cullaigh finished back in third.
There was also a successful title defence in the women's time-trial where Hayley Simmonds took the victory, 33 seconds ahead of Claire Rose and 39 seconds quicker than Dame Sarah Storey.
