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The RTTC National 25 Mile Championships brought together the country's finest time triallists for a superb weekend of racing in Norfolk, with national titles decided across two days of fast and fiercely contested competition.
The championships were contested over two days, with the Women's and Junior Championships taking place on Saturday before the Open Championship took centre stage on Sunday. King's Lynn CC promoted the Women's and Junior Championships on behalf of Cycling Time Trials on the B25/33 course, before Diss & District CC staged Sunday's Open Championship on the B25/17. Although held on different courses, warm conditions, brisk winds and steady traffic provided a stern test for riders across both days.
Emily Martin (Team Bottrill Nopinz) claimed the Women's National 25 title with a commanding performance, stopping the clock in 56:50 to become the only rider to break the 57-minute barrier.
Her measured ride saw her finish 52 seconds clear of Hayley Wells (Aerologic RT), while teammate Laura Davies secured the bronze medal just one second further back in 57:43 after a closely fought battle for the podium.
Returning to the Norfolk roads where she won the National 100 Championship in 2023, Martin admitted it was a special victory despite the demanding conditions.
"I'm pretty tired now, but it's been a great National 25," she said. "It's nice to be back on these roads. I won a National Championship here a few years ago and that was still one of the best days I've ever had on the bike, so it was nice to revisit them. It was a tough day with the wind, the traffic and how exposed the course is, especially on the return leg, but I just managed to keep the power going and bring it home in the end. It's absolutely fantastic to be back."
Behind the medallists, Eve Sealy (Tri Logic Cornwall) narrowly missed out on the podium in fourth, while Poppy Cooke (Zurbaran Racing) completed the top five.
The Junior Championships once again showcased the exciting depth of young talent emerging through the sport.
Leon Atkins produced an outstanding ride to take the Open Junior title in 50:19, a performance that would also have placed him amongst the leading senior riders. Roch Morgan secured the silver medal with 54:36, while Zachary Rusling claimed bronze in 54:52.
The Female Junior Championship was won by Maia Howell, whose impressive 59:52 made her the only female junior to break the one-hour barrier. Olivia Smallshaw claimed the silver medal in 1:00:26, with Skye Martingale completing the podium in 1:07:05.
The junior championships once again demonstrated the strength of emerging talent within British time trialling, with a number of riders producing performances that promise an exciting future for the sport.
Sunday's Open Championship saw John Archibald (WattShop) reclaim the RTTC National 25 title with a superbly judged ride of 45:58, the only rider to break the 46-minute barrier.
Archibald's performance underlined his class on one of the country's quickest championship courses, with George Peden (Team PB Performance) taking the silver medal in 47:41.
The closest contest of the day came in the battle for bronze. Joe Laverick (Lindsey Roads Cycling Club) stopped the clock in 48:15 to secure third place by just one second from Adam Duggleby (ADDFORM VLV – Gardenshed UK). Duggleby arrived in Norfolk in outstanding form, having recently broken the Competition Record for 100 miles, highlighting the strength of the championship field.
Thomas Lee rounded out the top five, while Ian Inglis also dipped below the 49-minute mark.
Another eye-catching ride came from local rider Dan Bigham (WattShop). Racing on his road bike, the former Hour Record holder recorded an impressive 50:22 to finish 13th overall. Bigham, who knows the Norfolk roads well, received plenty of support from spectators throughout the course, while his performance also demonstrated the continued competitiveness of road bike racing at the highest level.
With national titles decided, close battles for the medals and outstanding performances across all four championship categories, the RTTC National 25 once again demonstrated why it remains one of the highlights of the domestic time trial calendar.
Cycling Time Trials extends its thanks to King's Lynn CC and Diss & District CC, together with the timekeepers, marshals, officials and volunteers whose hard work ensured two successful championship events.
Women's Championship
Emily Martin (Team Bottrill Nopinz) – 56:50
Hayley Wells (Aerologic RT) – 57:42
Laura Davies (Team Bottrill Nopinz) – 57:43
Open Junior Championship
Leon Atkins – 50:19
Roch Morgan – 54:36
Zachary Rusling – 54:52
Female Junior Championship
Maia Howell – 59:52
Olivia Smallshaw – 1:00:26
Skye Martingale – 1:07:05
Open Championship
John Archibald (WattShop) – 45:58
George Peden (Team PB Performance) – 47:41
Joe Laverick (Lindsey Roads Cycling Club) – 48:15