British Cycling has announced four new inductees, all former racing cyclists, into its Hall of Fame. 

Maurice Burton, Emma Pooley, Rebecca Romero and Paul Sherwen, were the latest to be honoured by the governing body, joining 65 existing Hall of Fame members.  

The new inductees were announced at British Cycling’s annual awards dinner in Manchester on Saturday night, where more than 450 riders, volunteers and members gathered to celebrate. 

Speaking at the dinner, British Cycling president Bob Howden, the chair of the Hall of Fame selection panel, said that all of those recognised had made “a marked impact on the history and the growth of our sport”. 

Howden praised former world time trial champion Pooley and individual pursuit Olympic gold medallist Romero as “exceptional champions and equally fierce campaigners for gender parity in the sport.” 

Alongside her racing career, Pooley was a key member of the Le Tour Entier movement, which was pivotal in establishing La Course by the Tour de France on the race calendar. Meanwhile, fellow inductee Romero is best known for being the first British woman to medal in two different sports at the Olympics, winning a silver medal in rowing in 2004, before moving to track cycling. 

On Burton, Howden said: “As Britain’s first black cycling champion Maurice is one of our sport’s true pioneers, whose inspiration and legacy continues to blaze a trail for others.”

The track rider opened his palmarès with victory in the junior ranks at the National Track Championships in 1973. Burton then went on to win amateur titles in the Scratch and Team Pursuit, as well as represent Britain at the 1974 Commonwealth Games. 

Sherwen was the only one of the four new additions to be inducted posthumously into the Hall of Fame. 

“Paul’s death in 2018 left a huge hole in our sport,” Howden said of the seven-time Tour de France competitor. “He is warmly remembered by millions as the voice of the Tour de France, alongside fellow Hall of Fame inductee Phil Liggett.”

British Cycling first launched its Hall of Fame in 2010, in conjunction with the governing body’s 50th anniversary. Previous inductees include Tom Simpson, Sir Chris Hoy and Beryl Burton, as well as coaches, volunteers, event organisers and race officials who have left their mark on the sport.  

Also at the awards dinner, British Cycling awarded a Gold Badge of Honour to Jon Miles, co-ordinator of the Women’s Team Cup race series, for his long-standing contribution to the growth of women’s cycling. 

Everesting may have be the most unexpected trend of 2020, but the records are continuing to fall as riders take on the daunting climbing challenge.

This time it’s Emma Pooley, the British former pro, who has smashed the women’s record for fastest Everesting attempt, knocking 15 minutes off the previous time.

Pooley took on the 13 per cent average Haggenegg climb in Switzerland on Wednesday (July 8) , completing 10 laps of the 6.7km-long climb to rack up the 8,848 metres.

The 37-year-old set a new fastest time to climb the high of Everest on a bike, with eight hours, 53 minutes and 36 seconds – beating the previous record set by Hannah Rhodes in June, nine hours and eight minutes.

Pooley said: “I did that ride I said I would never do…”

“It was both terrible and fantastic., sometimes simultaneously.

“Never ever ever again!”

But if she ever was to take on the challenge again, Pooley said there were a few things she would do differently – change the gearing on her bike, be prepared for a hot day on an exposed mountainside, be aware of the twisty descent back down, and avoid running out of food for each climb after the half-way point

She added: “But it was a happy day despite a few discomforts.

“I wanted a challenge and to find my limits – and I did.”

Everesting has been a hugely popular endurance challenge this year, spurred by the lack of racing.

EF Pro Cycling rider Lachlan Morton currently holds the record for the men’s fastest Everesting attempt, setting a time of seven hours, 29 minutes and 57 seconds just a week after a first failed attempt.

The previous women’s record was set by Brit Hannah Rhodes on June 4, as she took on Kirkstone Pass in the Lake District 27.5 times, covering 163km.

But Pooley has now taken the crown, as she rode 129km for her attempt.

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Pooley retired from pro racing in 2016, having established a formidable palmarés. She is a former time trial world champion, an Olympic TT silver medallist and a winner of Flèche Wallone.

Emma Pooley has spoken after her ride in the women's Olympic time trial, expressing her disappointment with her result but saying she had to take the opportunity to race.

"I'm disappointed with the result, not just a bit disappointed," she told the media scrum near the finish line.

American Kristin Armstrong took gold on the 29.9km course in a time of 44-26, finishing just five seconds ahead of Olga Zabelinskaya (Russia) for silver. Anna van der Breggen (Netherlands) added bronze in the time trial to the gold she got in the road race on Sunday. Pooley was 2-05 down in 14th place.

The British rider has form in the Olympics, having taken silver in Beijing in 2008 and sixth at London 2012. She was also time trial world champion in 2010.

"I think I prepared as well as I could and rode as hard as I could," she continued. Pooley, along with Nikki Harris, was a domestique for Lizzie Armitstead in the road race, a role that may have taken its toll in the lead up to her ride against the clock.

"If I'd ridden differently on Sunday, saved a bit more... we had a chance in the road race as well so I had to try and help Lizzie there. So that's just the way it is; the road race comes first," she explained.

Armitstead could only manage fifth behind winner Anna van der Breggen (the Netherlands), after struggling on the final climb.

When asked if the comeback had been worthwhile, Pooley was philosophical in her reply.

"I think in life you take the opportunities you're given, and I'm very grateful for them," she said.

>>> Hayley Simmonds becomes first woman to break 50-minute mark with new 25-mile record

Present time trial national champion Hayley Simmonds is in blistering form and eyebrows were raised when she was not selected for Rio, particularly after Pooley was fourth at the nationals.

Simmonds was not happy with British Cycling's handling of her omission.

"It's still right to take the opportunities that you have and do the best you can with them, and if things had worked out differently," Pooley continued.

"You know, you don't know whether the difference between a medal or not is a tiny thing or a big thing.

"I have to be happy with the decision I made and the preparation I made. I don't think there was anything glaringly wrong with it, it's just the result."

American Kristin Armstrong (USA) took her third Olympic time trial title on Wednesday, putting in a perfectly-paced performance over the hilly route to claim gold in Rio.

As defending champion and pre-race favourite, Armstrong was last rider off and cruised through the first time check at 10 kilometre as quickest rider – despite evidently suffering from a nose bleed.

By the second check, Armstrong posted a time three seconds down on Olga Zabelinskaya (Russia) – bronze medallist in the 2012 Games in London, and a controversial inclusion in the 2016 Games due to her doping positive and suspension in 2014.

Armstrong then tackled the final descent off the day's toughest climb of Grota Funda and subsequent flat run-in to the finish at Pontal, turning around her deficit on Zabelinskaya to win by five seconds.

Armstrong is the oldest competitor in both the women's and men's races, and will celebrate her 43rd birthday in style on Thursday.

>>> Rio 2016 Olympic Games: Latest news, reports and info

Road race gold medallist Anna van der Breggen (Netherlands) added another piece of hardware to her collection with bronze, 11 seconds down on Armstrong.

Britain's Emma Pooley had a less than ideal run, and finished down in 14th place over two minutes adrift of the American winner.

Despite the wet and windy conditions, there were thankfully few incidents on the course. Ellen van Dijk (Netherlands) was one of the few riders to have a problem, as she left the road and into the undergrowth. She stayed upright and lost valuable time in getting back on the road. Agonisingly, she ended up in fourth place, off the podium and wondering what could have been.

A total of 25 riders took on the 29.86km course. The men's event takes place after the women's, where they tackle two loops of the Grumari circuit.

Result

Rio 2016 Olympic Games, women's individual time trial

1. Kristin Armstrong (USA) in 44-26

2. Olga Zabelinskaya (Russia) at 5 secs

3. Anna van der Breggen (Netherlands) at 11 secs

4. Ellen van Dijk (Netherlands) at 22 secs

5. Elisa Longon Borghini (Italy) at 25 secs

6. Linda Villumsen (New Zealand) at 28 secs

7. Tara Whitten (Canada) at 35 secs

8. Lisa Brennauer (Germany) at 56 secs

9. Katrin Garfoot (Australia) at 1-09

10. Evelyn Stevens (USA) at 1-34

Other

14. Emma Pooley (Great Britain) at 2-05

The final day of road cycling events at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games kicks off on Wednesday, August 10 with the women's time trial.

A total of 25 places are available in the event, with a maximum of two places awarded to the top qualifying nations.

Kristin Armstrong (USA) goes into the event as the defending Olympic champion – and is one of the big names to beat in the hilly 29.86km test against the clock.

Having claimed a silver medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics time trial, Emma Pooley is in the race for Great Britain. She will face stiff opposition not only from Armstrong, but also the Dutch pair of road race winner Anna van der Breggen and Ellen van Dijk.

Trixi Worrack (Germany), Lotte Kopecky (Belgium), Linda Villumsen (New Zealand), Katrin Garfoot (Australia), Evelyn Stevens (USA), Olga Zabelinskaya (Russia) and Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Poland) are among the other names to watch out for.

>>> Rio 2016 Olympic Road Race and Time Trial: route, map and schedule

Australia

Katrin Garfoot

Belgium

Ann-Sophie Duyck

Lotte Kopecky

Belarus

Alena Amialiusik

Canada

Karol-Ann Canuel

Tara Whitten

Finland

Lotte Lepisto

France

Audrey Cordon

Great Britain

Emma Pooley

Germany

Lisa Brennauer

Trixi Worrack

Italy

Elisa Longo Borghini

Japan

Eri Yonamine

Luxembourg

Christine Majerus

Netherlands

Anna van der Breggen

Ellen van Dijk

Norway

Vita Heine

New Zealand

Linda Villumsen

Poland

Katarzyna Niewiadoma

Anna Plichta

South Africa

Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio

Russia

Olga Zabelinskaya

Ukraine

Ganna Solovei

USA

Kristin Armstrong

Evelyn Stevens

British time trial champion Hayley Simmonds has blasted British Cycling over their handling of the Rio Olympics selection, describing their failure to notify her personally of her omission from the squad as "unprofessional and disrespectful".

Simmonds won her second successive national time trial title in Stockton on Thursday but won't be competing at Rio, with Emma Pooley instead chosen to ride Britain's sole time trial spot.

Simmonds - who left UnitedHealthcare this month - was not prepared to discuss the merits of being selected, but in a Facebook post hit out at the governing body over their handling of the issue.

>>> How Hayley Simmonds became Britain’s top time triallist

Following on from Dani King's comments about her not securing a spot in the women's road race team, Simmonds said that "given my own experience and from what has been written in the press in the past weeks and months, I find it hard to believe that any athlete not on one of BC's programmes can have any faith in being given fair opportunity to utilise their talent at an international level, irrespective of how many National Championships they win, and by what margin."

She said she knew about being on the longest for the Games since October 2015 and since then has had "a lot of contact from auxiliary staff within the organisation covering a range of Olympic pre-requisites (ranging from logistics to extra anti-doping education).

"[But] what has been sorely lacking has been any reliable contact with relevant members of British Cycling coaching or performance staff.

"Never has this been more apparent than in the last two weeks (the period when we knew the selection would be made) and nobody at British Cycling has made any attempt to contact me officially, or otherwise, to inform me of my non-selection.

"It is very hard to communicate just how heartbreaking it is to find out you are not going to the Olympics from a combination of leaked newspaper articles, conversations at the Nationals HQ and today's public announcement on the internet.

"I can't think of any possible justification for an organisation to operate in such an unprofessional and disrespectful manner."

Simmonds has dominated the British time trailing scene in the previous two years, winning the 10, 25, 50 and 100-mile RTTC National Championships events at least once, to go alongside her British Cycling time trial crowns. She also rode the time trial at the World Championships last October and in support of Lizzie Armitstead in her road race win.

Hayley Simmonds (AeroCoach) has admitted her surprise at becoming the women's national time trial champion for the second successive year by more than 30 seconds from her nearest challenger, Claire Rose (Podium Ambition).

Simmonds stormed around the 34.8km course in Stockton-on-Tees on Thursday in a time of 47:33.36, almost 33 seconds quicker than Rose, with her teammate Dame Sarah Storey six seconds back.

Emma Pooley, who has rejoined Lotto-Soudal Ladies in readiness for the Rio Olympics, was a minute off the pace and could only place fourth.

>>> Hayley Simmonds wins British women’s time trial title as Pooley places fourth

"I thought it was going to be close, and I think it was close until the turn on the last lap when I somehow managed to push out my lead," Simmonds, who recently left her American professional team United Healthcare because of problems with her time trial bike, told Cycling Weekly.

"It was the same as last year [at Lincoln] - I thought I would be on the podium and it would be close and it was the same this year. It wasn’t quite as close as I thought [it would be], but I’ll take it."

Pooley has temporarily halted her triathlon career in favour of pursuing a gold medal at Rio in August, and despite her unconvincing form at the Aviva Women's Tour, she was still regarded as favourite in Stockton, where a victory would have been her fourth.

>>> Scott Davies wins British under-23 men’s time trial for third time (video)

"Obviously Emma is an incredible athlete and she has been for years, but she’s not been focusing just on cycling but I knew if Emma was back on top of her game, she would be hard to beat," Simmonds admitted.

"I thought Claire was going to be my toughest competition on this course because she’s good at the corners and is good on the out-and-back drag sections. I was getting time checks on Claire and Emma so those were the two I was worried about."

For Pooley, failure to step onto the podium left her downbeat but she noted that the flat course was befitting of her qualities.

She said: "I’m disappointed today but if you look at the course it didn't suit my strengths. But you race the course they put to you.

"I did my best and didn’t win. I would have liked to have won. I went out and rode my hardest. I know I’m not properly time trial fit yet so it wasn’t that big of a surprise not to win.

"It’s a good sign of standard of women cycling in the UK. Credit to Hayley Simmonds, Claire and Sarah – great rides."

Brilliant! The moment @hayleyrsimmonds defended her British elite women's time trial title! #RoadChamps https://t.co/dHzZzrD0rX

— British Cycling (@BritishCycling) June 23, 2016

Hayley Simmonds successfully defended her British time trial national championship title on Thursday afternoon in Stockton-on-Tees.

Simmonds blasted around the relatively flat 35.8-kilometre (22.2-mile) course in 47-33.357 in the 2016 elite women's race with a 32-second winning margin.

Claire Rose claimed silver after posting 48-06.315, with Dame Sarah Storey in third with 48-12.465. Triple former national champion Emma Pooley was fourth with 48-33.455, a minute down on Simmonds.

>>> British national time trial preview and start lists

Simmonds hit the headlines last week after it was revealed that she had left the UnitedHealthcare team after failing to find a satisfactory time trial position on the bike given to her by the team.

Simmonds' dominance in the British time trial may make Olympic selectors take note, particularly given her winning margin. Great Britain has one place in the Rio 2016 time trial, with that rider also placed on the start list for the women's road race.

>>> Hayley Simmonds leaves UnitedHealthcare after failing to find good position on time trial bike

Earlier in the day, Scott Davies (Team Wiggins) took the under-23 men's national TT title for a record-breaking third consecutive time.

The elite men's event follows the elite women's race to bring the 2016 British time trial national championships to a close.

>>> Hayley Simmonds surprised by her winning margin in National Time Trial Championships

British time trial national championships 2016: Elite women

1. Hayley Simmonds (Aerocoach) in 47-33.36

2. Claire Rose (Podium Ambition) in 48-06.32

3. Dame Sarah Storey (Podium Ambition) in 48-12.46

4. Emma Pooley in 48-33.46

5. Hannah Barnes (Canyon-SRAM) in 49-29.28

6. Julia Shaw in 49-39.92

7. Molly Weaver (Liv-Plantur) in 49-53.32

8. Elizabeth-Jane Harris (Podium Ambition) in 50-56.20

9. Angela Hibbs (Fusion RT) in 51-03.21

10. Abby-Mae Parkinson (Servetto-Footon) in 51-13.39

Emma Pooley has announced that she will once again ride for Lotto-Soudal Ladies - the team she was part of in 2014, signing a contract for the remainder of the 2016 season.

The British rider will feature in a support role for Claudia Lichtenberg at the upcoming Giro d'Italia Femminile, and is reported to be on the Team GB road race squad for the Rio Olympics.

Her first race since the announcement will be the British National Road Championships time trial on Thursday June 23. The TT is an event she may also compete in at the Olympics.

Pooley broke the news on her website, saying: "I’m delighted to announce that I’ve signed with the Lotto-Soudal Ladies’ Team for the second half of the 2016 season!"

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She thanked the team directors for welcoming her back and went on to spell out her plans for the second half of the season.

"The Giro Rosa will be my main target with the Lotto-Soudal team, riding in support of Claudia [Lichtenberg] in one of the toughest 10 days of racing the women’s Giro has ever seen. It will be hard, and it will be the perfect preparation for the Rio Olympics if I’m selected for Team GB – and if not, it will be great training for the Alpe d’Huez Triathlon!"

Ones to watch

Pooley's possible inclusion in the GB Olympics team looks to be at the cost of a place for Dani King, who has spoken out about her disappointment at not being selected.

The final GB Olympics team is due to be announced on Friday June 24.

Emma Pooley will add her experience to a young Great Britain squad at the Aviva Women's Tour, which starts in Southwold on June 15.

The 33-year-old is joined by five other riders aged between 18 and 21 for the third edition of the five day race as she aims to convince the selectors she deserves a seat on the plane to the Olympic Games.

Pooley has returned to road racing after a two-year absence in an attempt to qualify for the Olympics and challenge for a gold medal in the hilly time trial in Rio de Janeiro.

She will be joined at the Women's Tour by Jessie Walker, Grace Garner, Mel Lowther, Annasley Park and Abbie Dentus.

Contenders for the Women's WorldTour

Great Britain Cycling Team coach, Julian Winn, said: “This year’s Women’s Tour promises to be a fantastic event.

"As one of the races on the new UCI Women’s WorldTour calendar, the Tour will give our riders the chance to gain valuable experience riding against high quality opposition in front of home crowds.”

Defending champion Lisa Brennauer returns to the race with Canyon-SRAM in a team that includes Brit Hannah Barnes, while winner of the Women's Tour de Yorkshire, Kirsten Wild, lines up for Hitec Products.

Lizzie Armitstead could form part of the Boels Dolmans team for the race, although the squad is yet to be announced. Anna van der Breggen is set to race for Rabo-Liv, while Jolien d'Hoore - second in the general classification last year - will represent Wiggle-High5.

Emma Pooley says that the reaction on Twitter to Pete Kennaugh's tweets saying that no one cared about the women's Giro d'Italia is evidence that people actually do want to watch more women's cycling.

Responding to Pooley's comments in a Guardian article which questioned why Sky didn't also create a leading women's team that could have helped her to win the Giro d'Italia Femminile, Kennaugh said that Sky wouldn't financially back such a team because it is a race that "absolutely no one in the UK has absolutely no idea about."

The two-time and current British road race champion has since deleted his tweets and issued an apology.

"The response to what Pete Kennaugh said on Twitter was people saying that they do care about women’s cycling and they want to see more of it and that’s exactly the point of it [her comments]," Pooley told Cycling Weekly on the eve of the Asda Women's Tour de Yorkshire, the first road race she has competed in since winning silver at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

>>> How British Cycling's nightmare week unfolded

"The point is not whether I would have won it or not, it’s whether little girls are watching cycling and are inspired to go cycling. The point is the trickle down effect of grassroots sport.

"He is welcome to his opinion. The response to what he said was more educational and said more than what he said himself."

Pooley finished second on GC in both the 2011 and 2012 Giro before winning three stages on 2014. She told the Guardian that Sky should have set up a women's team to go alongside the men's WorldTour outfit, but believes her comments were distorted.

All you need to know about the Tour de Yorkshire

"I felt I was misrepresented in the article because it made out that I was angry that I never got the support to win the Giro," she said.

"That wasn’t the point I was trying to make. I was trying to give a counter example to the men’s Tour de France and the Sky team, in the fact that there wasn’t a women’s one.

"But it made out that I was like ‘I wanted to win the Giro, [but] no one give me support’ but that wasn’t what I was trying to say.

>>> British Cycling denies kit funded by UK Sport has been sold for profit

"The comments I made in the press was that I do think there was an unfairness and discrepancy with the general support of the road squad.

"For a while there wasn’t a women’s development team - even though I would never have raced in a U23 squad because I only started when I was 22 - but I thought on principle that Sky should have supported a women’s team as well.

"I said that in 2012 as well and I wasn’t only the one; I wasn’t some kind of mad radical.  A lot of people questioned why there wasn’t a women’s team and I think the question has to be asked of the people who ran the Sky team and British Cycling."

After a week of sexism and discrimination allegations against British Cycling and its staff, Pooley - who is targeting selection for this year's time trial at the Rio Olympics - was keen on emphasising that she had never encountered sexism from the national governing body's staff.

She added: "That [sexism] is not an accusation you can level at any individual coach or scientist at British Cycling. They all do a brilliant job. They really don’t care what’s under your skinsuit, they just want you to win a medal.

"I have never felt that British Cycling was sexist in what they offered me in terms of support for the Olympics. I just think that, though it sounds heartless, they just care about medals. That’s their job description."

Former world time trial champion Emma Pooley will return to road racing at his year’s Aviva Women’s Tour in June, reports Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad .

The 33-year-old will apparently ride with Lotto-Soudal Ladies, the team she competed for in 2014, and will follow up her appearance in Britain with the Giro d’Italia Femminile, the blue riband event for women’s cycling.

Her last appearance at the Italian race saw her win three stages, the mountains classification and her ninth place on general classification would have been far better had it not been for injury on the opening stage.

“Emma wants another full go for the Olympics and chose to make her preparation for our team,” Lotto-Soudal Ladies team manager Danny Schoobaert told Het Nieuwsblad. “Her first race in our colours will be the British Aviva Women’s Tour. She will then ride the Giro Rosa.”

The former world time trial champion made herself available for Olympic selection late last year, but to be included she will need to make the road race team.

After very nearly two years away this return will reacquaint her with the rigours of bunch racing, whilst further proving to British selectors that she is the correct choice for Rio.

Pooley, who won Olympic time trial silver in Beijing, retired from road cycling after finishing second in both the time trial and road race at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and has since been competing in duathlon and triathlon events. She had some notable successes, winning the long distance duathlon world championship and a number of long course triathlon victories.

Watch: Women's WorldTour contenders for 2016

The programme on Pooley’s website does not yet include her return with Lotto-Soudal and clearly indicates her intention to continue competing in multi-discipline events throughout this year.

The calendar does include the British time trial championships in June, which will be another key step in gaining selection for the Olympic team.

It is clear that despite having no intention to return to cycling full-time, the lure of the hilly Rio Olympic course, perfectly suited to her climbing abilities, was too much to resist.

There is also no doubt her climbing prowess is something that could assist Lizzie Armitstead’s gold medal challenge in the road race, though the world champion herself has previously admitted the course is tough enough to suit a pure climber.

Pooley’s inclusion would therefore provide the British team with cards to play come Rio this August.

Former world time trial champion Emma Pooley is set to return to Team GB in time for the Olympic Games in Rio, two years after she retired from road racing at the Commonwealth Games.

Pooley, who won silver in the Beijing 2008 time trial, has been competing in triathlon since stepping away from the road, winning prestigious events on Alpe d'Huez and Zoffingen, among others, and will continue to participate in multi-discipline events next year.

But the 33-year-old told The Times that the chance to win another Olympic medal has tempted her back into the Team GB fold, adding in a statement on Wednesday that the hilly nature of the Rio time trial course appeals to her.

“My main focus will remain long-distance triathlon and duathlon,” said Pooley in the statement. “That’s what my sponsors Tempo-Sport bikespeed.ch and NGI support me in competing at; my target for the early part of the season will be the Rapperswil 70.3 half-Ironman which is a home race for me and my sponsor Tempo-Sport.

“In September I want to defend my title as world champion in long-distance duathlon. Because of the hilly nature of the time trial course in Rio, this is a truly rare opportunity that I can’t resist. I’ve decided it’s worth a serious attempt at targeting that event. I wouldn’t necessarily call it a comeback but 2016 will certainly be a different race programme for me.”

A guide to surviving long time trials

British Cycling's technical director Shane Sutton told the Guardian that Pooley could also play a key role in supporting Lizzie Armitstead in the road race, thanks to her skills in the mountains.

“I’m really pleased that Emma is back with us, as that enhances our medal opportunities in the time trial, and it will also enhance Lizzie’s opportunity to win if we can have a pure mountain climber like Emma with her in the road race,” Sutton said.

“The field will fall away from behind, but I don’t see Emma falling behind so I would like to see her in the road race supporting Lizzie.”

Emma Pooley has announced that she will retire from professional cycling after the Commonwealth Games road race on Sunday, August 3.

After competing one final time for England on Sunday, the 31-year-old will switch disciplines to triathlon and running. Pooley won the Lausanne Marathon in Switzerland last year, and her time of 2-44-29 was in the top 20 fastest times posted by any British woman that season.

Former time trial world champion and current British time trial champion Pooley recently completed a PhD in geotechnical engineering, and had been considering retirement since 2012, where she was disappointed with her performance in the World Championships.

A strong climber as well as against the clock, Pooley won a host of events throughout her cycling career as well as taking overall honours in some of the sports most prestigious stage races including the Grande Boucle, Tour Languedoc Roussillon, Tour de l’Ardeche, Tour de l’Aude and Giro del Trentino.

British Cycling president Bob Howden paid tribute to Pooley: "Emma has been a tremendous ambassador for cycling both on and off the bike and for women's sport in general, never far from the action wherever she applied her undoubted talents," said Howden.

Emma Pooley's major victories

2014

British time trial national champion

Giro Rosa; stage six

Giro Rosa; stage eight

Giro Rosa; stage nine

Giro Rosa; mountains classification

2013

Tour Languedoc Roussillon; stage three

Tour Languedoc Roussillon; overall

Tour de Feminin – O cenu Ceského Švýcarska; stage three

Tour de Feminin – O cenu Ceského Švýcarska; stage five

2012

Emakumeen Saria

Emakumeen Bira; stage two

Tour de l’Ardeche; stage three

Tour de l’Ardeche; stage six

Tour de l’Ardeche; overall

2011

Trofeo Alfredo Binda

Iurreta-Emakumeen Bira, stage 3a ITT

Giro Donne; stage eight

Thuringen Rundfahrt; stage four

Thuringen Rundfahrt; mountains classification

Tour de l’Ardeche; stage three

Tour de l’Ardeche; overall

2010

Tour de l’Aude; stage seven

Tour de l’Aude; overall

La Fleche Wallonne Feminine

Grand Prix Suisse (TT)

Grand Prix Elsy Jacobs

Giro del Trentino; stage one

Giro del Trentino; overall

National champion, road race

Giro Donne; mountains classification

World Champion: Women’s time trial

2009

Montreal World Cup

GP de Plouay-Bretagne World Cup

GP Costa Etrusca

Grande Boucle; stage one

Grande Boucle; stage three

Grande Boucle; overall

Tour de Berne; climbers’ classification

Tour de l’Ardèche; mountains classification

Tour de l’Ardèche; sprint classification

National time trial champion

2008

Trofeo Alfredo Binda

Olympic Games time trial, silver medal

Emma Pooley takes final Giro Rosa stage as Marianne Vos wins overall

Britain’s Emma Pooley wins her third stage and the mountains classification

Emma Pooley wins women's British time trial title

Emma Pooley earns right to wear national champ's jersey, Katie Archibald second, Sarah Storey third in Wales

Emma Pooley attacks her way through Women's Tour stage four

Lotto-Belisol rider picked up the day's combativity award for her efforts.

Big interview: Emma Pooley

After taking a step back from the top tier of the sport to finish a PhD, Britain’s Emma Pooley is

Britain’s Emma Pooley (Lotto-Belisol) cemented her position as the leader of the Giro Rosa mountains classification by winning today’s 90.3-kilometre Queen stage. The race finished on the only classified climb of the day a route perfectly suited to her talents and increasing form.

The stage was dominated by that final mountain. Twenty-three kilometres long, only the final 13 km was classified, with an average of 8%. With the peloton shredded, Megan Guarnier (Boels_Dolmans) attacked first, and was joined by race leader Marianne Vos’s team mate, Anna van der Breggen who rode on alone, when the American faded.

Behind, Mara Abbott (United Healthcare), who secured overall Giro victory in 2013 winning on this very climb, upped the pace, dropping Vos and all but Pooley. Once van der Breggen was despatched it was left to Abbott and Pooley to contest the final.

“I didn’t start with the idea I could win the stage,” said Pooley. “My main goal was to keep the green jersey. I knew who to watch. When we started the climb I waited, tried to conserve energy and be relaxed. I stayed in the wheels of those going for GC. In the end I was alone in front with Mara Abbott, who won last year. Then I started raising the tempo, because I wanted to make her tired. At that point I wanted to win the stage, certainly after all the work the girls did for me.”

“I didn’t really attack I just rode harder. It wasn’t a sprint at the end, just by raising the pace I apparently had created a gap. I didn’t even put my hands in the air, because I was sure she was coming so I didn’t have time for that. This victory is really nice for me and the team. Tomorrow it’s another mountain top finish, at the Madonna del Ghisallo this time, a famous climb. We’ll give it all again tomorrow.”

Pooley now leads the mountains classification by 18 points and, with only 13 on offer in tomorrow’s stage, she only needs to finish to secure the green jersey.

The general classification is still dominated by Marianne Vos’s Rabo-Liv team, who hold first, second and third positions. The multiple World Champion’s lead is now down to 16 seconds, however she could lose more time in tomorrow’s final stage, surely another for the climbers.

Results
Giro d’Italia Femminile 2014, Stage eight

1. Emma Pooley (Lotto-Belisol)

2. Mara Abbott (United Healthcare)

3. Anna van der Breggen (Rabo-Liv)

4. Pauline Ferrand-Prevot (Rab-Liv)

5. Megan Guarnier (Boels-Dolmans)

6. Marianne Vos (Rabo-Liv)

7. Claudia Lichtenberg (Giant-Shimano)

8. Annamiek van Vleuten (Rabo-Liv)

9. Tetiana Riabchenko Michela (Fanini Rox)

10. Emma Johansson (Orica- AIS)

Overall classification after stage eight

1. Marianne Vos (Rabo-Liv) 23:14:09

2. Pauline Ferrand-Prevot (Rabo-Liv) at 0:16

3. Anna van der Breggen (Rabo-Liv) at 1:17

4. Mara Abbott (United Healthcare) at 1:39

5. Elisa Longo-Borghini (Hitec Products) at 1:46

6. Claudia Lichtenberg (Giant-Shimano) at 2:47

7. Megan Guarnier (Boels-Dolmans) at 6:27

8. Annamiek van Veluten (Rabo-Liv) at 6:44

9. Emma Johansson (Orica-AIS) at 6:57

10. Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Rabo-Liv) at 7:10

Emma Pooley climbs into mountains lead at Giro Rosa

Marianne Vos wins another stage at the Giro Rosa to maintain overall lead

Emma Pooley takes solo Giro Rosa stage victory

British time trial champion Emma Pooley proves her form with a solid solo win

Lucy Garner makes her mark in debut Giro Rosa sprint

Marianne Vos extends her lead in Giro d’Italia Femminile after another stage win

By Owen Rogers

After Lucy Garner’s top 10 on Wednesday, Emma Pooley proved that British riders are on the up, winning yesterday’s stage six at the Giro d’Italia Femminile. The former time trial World Champion broke clear on the first categorised climb of the day then stayed away to win by 15 seconds.

Thursday’s 112 km stage between Gaiarine and San Fior was the first mountain stage of the race, with three categorised climbs. Pooley attacked alone on the Muro di Ca’ del Poggio, inside the first 30 km, building a decent lead before a group of six bridged across.

At 13km and 7% gradient, the final climb of La Crosetta is one of the toughest climbs of this year’s Giro and it was here Pooley launched her final attack. By the time she reached the top she had dropped all her companions and raced the remaining 27 kilometres to the line alone.

Behind her, the Rabo-Liv team of World Champion, Marianne Vos continued to dominate. The Dutch woman came second in the sprint for second, sandwiched by two team mates.

"In the information we got in advance, the stage didn't look so hard. But I heard from others that the climbs were really difficult," Pooley said after the win. "After the problems I had in the first stage there was no point anymore for going for GC, so I had nothing to lose. I just had to ride aggressively and try to win a stage. You don't win if you don't try. With that in mind I started the stage. We're lucky it worked, it was really close at the end."

"The girls put me in the right position for the first climb, that was a really steep one. They did a great job, looking after me. After my first attack I was about 25 kilometres alone, then I was caught by a group. Then I was alone again for the last 40 kilometres. It was hard.

"Rabo Liv and Giant chased, because they wanted to win the stage as well. I thought they would catch me for sure. I had two minutes at first, then suddenly 1-20 and then the gap was reducing very quickly. With two kilometres to go I had about 19 seconds. I really wanted to do it for the other girls, because they really believed in me."

"Now we'll try to win another stage with the team. We have the freedom to try everything. This victory gave us confidence."

British time trial champion Pooley will start tomorrow’s stage in 13th position over all, eight minutes 35 seconds down. Her Giro has been difficult, losing time in unexpected places, she was even photographed having a nosebleed on stage one.

Tomorrow sees the race head west into Lombardy, where the peloton tackles the 91.8 km between Aprica and Chiavenna. Though not as tough as stage six, the first climb begins immediately the flag drops, so expect some big time gaps to form.

Results
Giro d’Italia Femminile 2014, stage six

1. Emma Pooley (Lotto-Belisol)

2. Anna van der Breggen (Rabo-Liv)

3. Marianne Vos (Rabo-Liv)

4. Pauline Ferrand-Prevot (Rabo-Liv)

5. Claudia Lichtenberg (Giant-Shimano)

6. Elisa Longo Borghini (Hitec Products)

7. Mara Abbott (United Healthcare)

8. Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Rabo-Liv)

9. Annamiek van Vleuten (Rabo-Liv)

10. Ashleigh Moolman (Hitec Products)

Overall classification after stage six

1. Marianne Vos (Rabo-Liv) in 18:03:19

2. Pauline Ferrand-Prevot (Rabo-Liv) at 0:45

3. Elisa Longo-Borghini (Hitec Products) at 0:53

4. Anna van der Breggen (Rabo-Liv) at 2:12

5. Claudia Lichtenberg (Giant-Shimano) at 2:17

6. Mara Abbott (United Healthcare) at 2:58

7. Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Rabo-Liv) at 4:41

8. Annamiek va Vleuten (Rabo-Liv) at 6:09

9. Emma Johansson (Orica-AIS) at 6:18

10. Megan Guarnier (Boels-Dolmans) at 6:18

Lucy Garner makes her mark in debut Giro Rosa sprint

Marianne Vos extends her lead in Giro d’Italia Femminile after another stage win

Credit: Andy Jones

Marianne Vos wins again, but the brave escape steals the Giro Rosa show

Marianne Vos takes stage four win to retain overall lead in 2014 Giro Rosa

Annamiek van Vleuten escapes to her second Giro Rosa win

Combative Annamiek van Vleuten wins again whilst Rabo-Liv team-mate Marianne Vos sits pretty in pink

Credit: Andy Jones

Giorgia Bronzini wins Giro Rosa sprint on stage two

Marianne Vos takes second but extends her overall lead

Credit: Andy Jones

Marianne Vos sprints into pink at the Giro Rosa

Rabo-Liv continue to dominate the Giro d’Italia Femminile despite strong challenge

Annamiek van Vleuten wins Giro Rosa prologue

Rabo-Liv dominate opening 2.5km prologue time trial in Italy

Emma Pooley completed her hat-trick of British time trial titles in Newport today as she won a race for the first time in nearly a year.

The 31-year-old Lotto-Belisol rider completed the challenging 20.4-kilometre course around Newport in 30 minutes 18 seconds, with Pearl Izumi Sports Tours International duo Katie Archibald and Sarah Storey completing the podium and beating the strong Wiggle-Honda trio.

However, the day belonged to Pooley, who previously triumphed in the event in 2009 and 2010. It was also her first victory since she claimed the Tour de Feminin on July 7 last year.

“It's special because it's been a while since I won I race,” she said. “It's been a few years since I've ridden the Championships – actually I think every time I've ridden it I've won it.

“I really liked the course. It was pretty technical, it was interesting, and there was never more than a few kilometres without a corner or a hill. That tests more than just the power of a rider.”

Storey's third place matched her best from the event in 2011, while Archibald's performance was arguably the day's stand-out ride.

The 20-year-old GB endurance rider told CW that she was flabbergasted with her second-placed finish.

“I couldn't believe it. It was so painful, I didn't think I could finish in so much pain and yet still do a good ride,” said Archibald.

“I love this kind of terrain, because it turned the course into intervals, which is what I'm best at.”

Defending champion Joanna Rowsell finished sixth, while last year's runner-up Lizzie Armitstead (Boels-Dolmans) did not take the start.

Results
British Time Trial Championships, women's race, Newport

1. Emma Pooley (Lotto-Belisol) 20.4km in 30-18

2. Katie Archibald (Pearl Izumi Sports Tours International) at 0-39

3. Sarah Storey (Pearl Izumi Sports Tours International) at 0-51

4. Elinor Barker (Wiggle Honda) at 1-04

5. Laura Trott (Wiggle Honda) at 1-09

6. Joanna Rowsell (Wiggle Honda) at 1-23

7. Lucy Coldwell (Velosport - Pasta Montegrappa) at 1-25

8. Danielle King (Wiggle Honda) at 2-10

9. Emily Robertson (CC Luton) at 2-48

10. Claire Galloway (Pearl Izumi Sports Tours International) at 2-53

Welshman Scott Davies wins British under-23 time trial title

Madison-Genesis rider Scott Davies, 19, claims first title of the 2014 British road national championships in Wales

Words by Owen Rogers

Repeated and concerted attacks from Britain’s Emma Pooley earned her plaudits and the day’s combativity award in Saturday's penultimate stage of the Friends Life Women's Tour.

Having initially attacked after the first classified climb, she was away for the majority of the undulating 87-kilometre stage.

At first the former world time trial champion rode on her own but was  joined by others in two other notable moves that gained an advantage over the peloton.

“I was in all the breaks, when I was on my own the cooperation was really good!” she joked. “With Lisa  Brennauer [Specialized-Lululemon] we were both working hard, but we were caught by a bigger group and it didn’t happen.

“When the peloton caught us another group of six of us went and we were all working except for Annamiek [Van Vleuten] from Rabo-Liv. No one expected her to work because Marianne [Vos, her team-mate] is in yellow, but the five of us worked pretty well. I think we knew were were likely to get caught, but that’s part of bike racing, it happens.

“I’ve tried to be aggressive every day. I tried yesterday, but maybe today suited small breaks and attacks better because of the narrow lanes and the up and down nature of the course.

“Obviously I'm not doing very well in the race in terms of results, but for me you can still use a race to get better, or as training. It’s hard work when you’re off the back and it’s hard work if you're off the front, but being off the front is definitely better mentally.”

The 31-year-old is targeting the Giro d’Italia at the beginning of July, but admitted: “I need to get some racing under my belt, I know I don’t feel quite up there yet.”

Her next races will be in Spain, the one day Durango-Durango followed by the four-stage Emakumeen Euskal Bira, both in northern Spain. The latter of which she described as “a bit bumpier [than the Women's Tour], but the same weather."

Sunday's final stage of the race finishes in Bury St Edmunds, an hour away from Norwich, where Pooley grew up as a child.

Credit: Andy Jones

Marianne Vos wins Women's Tour stage four

Race leader Marianne Vos increases her advantage at the top of the overall classification with a second stage win

Words by Owen Rogers

Wednesday’s Flèche Wallonne Femmes sees both Marianne Vos (Rabo-Liv) and Emma Pooley (Lotto-Belisol Ladies) return to World Cup racing for the first time in 2014. Both have won the race before and are starting their seasons late in the year, though for differing reasons.

2010 winner Pooley has targeted Flèche this year, but isn’t sure it’s her favourite race, “Do I like it? It’s an awesome race to win, but it’s very difficult because it’s all about position and being in the right place at the right time,” she told Cycling Weekly, “It’s a race that suits my profile as a rider, it’s hilly and finishes on a very steep climb, but it’s sketchy and I’ve only finished two of the four times I’ve started.”

Five time winner Vos is tipping 24 year-old compatriot, Anna van der Breggen to lead the Rabo team this week, telling us, “Anna has done a great job and will be there for the team. Of course I’m going to try to be fit, but I won’t be at 100%, so it’s going to be difficult to to be in the final and still fresh and ready for a sprint up Mur de Huy, it’s not easy if that’s your first race.”

Though Pooley raced and won in 2013, her priority was completing a PhD and has only just returned to Europe following a period of training in Australia. “I went out there in January and had a lot to catch up on because I was a bit sick at end of last year. I didn’t start training until January really, so that’s why I’m only coming back now.”

Vos, on the other hand needed time off the bike after a year which saw her convincingly defend the World Cup, win Mountain bike races and retain both her Road and Cyclo-Cross World crowns. “I’ve had tough season, and I finished with the World title, so I’m really, really happy, but I needed some rest and that’s what I did.”

The 127 km Women’s Flèche Wallonne, the fourth race in this year’s Women’s Road World Cup, comprises two circuits of a route starting and finishing at the top of the Mur de Huy, which averages 9.3% but exceeds 19% in places.

Lizzie Armitstead (Boels-Dolmans) leads the World Cup standings with healthy 80 point advantage over second placed Emma Johansson (Orica-AIS) and 100 points ahead of van der Breggen in third, so has a good chance of retaining the jersey in Belgium.

Lizzie Armitstead second at Tour of Flanders as Ellen Van Dijk takes win

Lizzie Armitstead retains World Cup lead after Trofeo Alfredo Binda

Emma Johansson scores win in second round of UCI Women's Road World Cup in Italy

Lizzie Armitstead wins Ronde van Drenthe

On-form Lizzie Armitstead takes opening round of UCI Women's Road World Cup in the Netherlands

Hi Emma, how’s the winter training going?

Emma Pooley: It’s hard, but I’m enjoying it. I’m in Perth, Australia, where I spend most winters. I’m out here for three months because I don’t start racing until quite late on in the season. I’ve also got family here, and I even had an academic conference out here at the University of Western Australia. It is a bit too hot though; it was 44°C the other weekend, which was a bit of a shock.

With your PhD out of the way, can we now call you Dr Pooley?

EP: It’s done, but officially you can’t yet call me Dr Pooley. I still haven’t submitted the obligatory copy to the University library. It came away from the printers the day after I left for Australia. Although, if I fly with an airline I might put it as my title in the hope that I get upgraded.

How have you found your first month with your new Lotto-Belisol team?

EP: I’ve not ridden with my team-mates yet, but I went to the team launch in December and actually it was really fun. I got a really good impression of the team and the set-up and just the general feeling. I’m really looking forward to racing with them.

You’ve got the same sponsors as the men’s team, but how integrated are you with the men’s set-up?

EP: I don’t think very [integrated], but even just sharing a name is really good because it counts for a lot in terms of recognition and interest. I think we can give a lot back to men’s teams too, from my experience with Cervélo Test Team [2009-2010]. All the feedback from male riders was really positive. I think [mixed teams] just makes the whole team a bit more cheerful.

“There’s a really good vibe about women’s cycling — it just needs a bit of time”

What are you most looking forward to about 2014?

EP: I’m most looking forward to training and racing full-time again; I did miss it. I’m not going to be sitting around going, “Oh, I’m bored,” but I’m looking forward to getting a bit more sleep. Race-wise, I’m really looking forward to the Women’s Tour, which I hope I’ll be riding. Then there’s the Giro Rosa and the Commonwealth Games, if I get selected.

What is it about the Giro that appeals to you?

EP: I’ve come second twice. It is unfinished business. I don’t want to sound arrogant about it, but it is a target and I wouldn’t target anything to come second. In retrospect, coming second was great but at the time it was really disappointing.

The Giro has a couple of mountain stages in it, which not all our races do have. It suits me as a rider and it’s one of the longer races on the calendar. And I haven’t won it.

Given that the future of this year’s Giro remains uncertain, is it hard to prepare for races that you don’t actually know will go ahead?

EP: Exactly. It’s a bit distressing. It’s not because there is no one who can be bothered; the people that run the Giro are passionate and care strongly about women’s cycling and run an awesome race. The problem is the finances of it.

It’s not their fault — it’s no one’s fault — but it’s not much fun. It’s perhaps something that people in the men’s sport don’t realise: how difficult it can be when all the races you want to ride could just disappear. It’s a shame but, without getting back on my high horse, there are changes afoot and I think [UCI president] Brian Cookson has put the wheels in motion.

How do you rate Brian Cookson’s first few months in office?

EP: He’s got an awful lot on his plate, and he’s made a good start in terms of the anti-doping fight. Sure, there are a few women taking drugs in cycling, but women’s cycling has definitely been tainted by the bad reputation [of the men’s sport].

I’m on the UCI Women’s Commission and I think it is on the right track in terms of televising women’s road cycling [the UCI is part funding TV production for the 2014 World Cup]. It should be commercially viable, but in order to get that going, it needs some kind of kick up the backside in terms of media coverage.

Is the main goal of the Women’s Commission improving media coverage?

EP:

That’s the impression I get, so far. At the moment it’s a vicious cycle in women’s road cycling, in that it doesn’t get seen, sponsors aren’t interested, so races disappear.

Every four years people watch the Olympic road race and say: “Wow, this is really exciting, where can I watch more of this?” and I say, “Wait another four years.” When it’s on television and it has the viewing figures, then sponsors will be interested. And I think gradually more and more men’s races will want to have a women’s race, and that will be really good for women’s racing.

Are you optimistic?

EP: I think a lot of people in the world of bike manufacturers are dying for more women’s coverage because it’s a huge growth market. I’m fed up of being labelled as some sort of whinger, just because I’ve asked for improvements. There’s a really good vibe in women’s cycling, [but] there’s that single step to being seen. I’m being really positive about it; it just needs a bit of time.

In 2013 Marianne Vos was again the top rider, and by some margin. Is her dominance potentially a bad thing for women’s cycling?

EP: I don’t think so; she is probably the best female cyclist there has ever been. I can see what you mean, the danger is that women’s cycling becomes a bit one-dimensional, but she is just quite exceptional.

I’m happy that anyone is reporting on our races, and about tactics rather than what so and so was wearing. How to beat Marianne is all about the sport and the tactics and the excitement of it, and I think that’s a good thing.

So, how do you beat her?

EP: I’m not sure: ask me when I’ve succeeded! You have to be as fit as her, which is not easy because physically she is extremely strong.

I think you also have to let her exhaust herself. She has been beaten in the last few years, and not just when she had no team-mates. In La Flèche Wallonne in 2012 she chased too much because she was nervous, because she wanted to win. She’s not stupid, and she’s a lot less nervous than me in races.

Is it frustrating?

EP: I’m a bit unlucky that I’m racing against her, but on the other hand I’m privileged to

race against her. I’ll look back on it when I’m an old woman and say that I raced against the best cyclist in the world.

It’s hard to describe how frustrating but also how nice it is to race against her; she’s a lovely person and I can’t think of anything nasty to say about her. Except that I wish she wouldn’t beat me all the time!

Women's road race, British Road Race National Championships 2011 photo gallery by Andy Jones>>

Lizzie Armitstead (Garmin-Cervelo) won the women's British Road Race National Championships in Stamfordham,

Northumberland on Sunday.

Armitstead out-paced Nicole Cooke (Mario Cipollini-Giordana) to take the win by several bike lengths, with Sharon Laws (Garmin-Cervelo) in third place. Last year's winner Emma Pooley (Garmin-Cervelo) came home in fourth.

Armitstead, Laws and Pooley are all team-mates on the Garmin-Cervelo squad and worked together to overhaul ten-time British champion Cooke.

The lead quartet had distanced the rest of the field earlier in the race after Armitstead had initiated an attack.

Laura Trott (Moving Ladies) won the under-23 title after taking the bunch sprint for fifth place.

What they said

Lizzie Armitstead, Garmin-Cervélo, winner

It's finally happened. It's nice to get a victory in the national championships. It was hard, but the girls made it a lot easier for me.

I wasn't worried about Nicole getting an easy ride, she had a hard race too. Emma and Sharon attacked a few times, and I also wanted to test Nicole to see how she was feeling. It was a wearing down process.

Nicole Cooke, MCipollini-Giambeini, second

When we got clear the onus was all on the Garmin team to decide what they wanted to do.

I didn't really have many options so for it was fairly simple, I was at their mercy in terms of how they wanted to race. I tried to get myself to the finish as fresh as possible and go for it in the sprint.

I'm not at my top form at the moment, that's fairly clear, I know I've got some more to come with my form, I'm building up towards the world championships which is my big aim for the year, and obviously with the GB team we've got a really good chance.

For me this is really the foundation for the end of the season but more importantly for next year as well.

Sharon Laws, Garmin-Cervélo, third

Lizzie's really quick right now so I was confident that she would win the sprint.

Emma and I knew we would have to get away if we wanted to win, and I was cramping on the last lap which didn't help.

Emma rode really well for the team, she helped me get back on when I punctured, which was really unselfish of her.

The fewer riders upfront, the more we could control it. We managed to achieve what we wanted.

Emma Pooley, Garmin-Cervélo, fourth

I didn't expect to win on this course to be honest. It would have been ideal to go uphill for 100km for me, but you don't always get it your own way. I had my chance and I tried my best to win.

I'm really glad for Lizzie, I think she really deserves it. She doesn't need a lead out coming in to there. She's really quick, she's one of the best sprinters in the world, even in bunch sprints.

It might have actually been better for us to have more in the break because it was bloody hard work in the wind and by the second small lap I was thinking ‘I wish we had ten.'

Laura Trott, Moving Ladies, fifth (U23 winner)

I'm really happy with the result. I don't really like road racing, and I just came for the ride, so I can't complain about how it worked out.

I knew we only had to go up the climb once, so I fully committed over it. I just missed the front group.

I felt a bit pressurised today because if people beat you they always say how they beat a world champion.

Result
British Road Race National Championships 2011: Women, 64 miles
1. Lizze Armitstead (Garmin-Cervelo) in 2-28-40

2. Nicole Cooke (Mario Cipollini-Giordana) at 2 secs

3. Sharon Laws (Garmin-Cervelo) at 4 secs

4. Emma Pooley (Garmin-Cervelo) at 8 secs

5. Laura Trott (Moving Ladies) at 2-48

6. Lucy Martin (Garmin-Cervelo)

7. Dani King (Horizon Fitness RT)

8. Catherine Williamson (Konica Minolta)

9. Katis Colclough (HTC-Highroad)

10. Emma Grant (For-Viored-Brookvex) all same time

Sharon Laws heads the break

Laura Trott went on to win the under-23 women's title

Emma Pooley at the front

Lizzie Armitstead wins

Sharon Laws (third), Lizzie Armitstead (winner) and Nicole Cooke (second)

Lizzie Armitstead on the podium

Related links

Men's race: Wiggins wins

Women's road race, British Road Race National Championships 2011 photo gallery by Andy Jones

British National Championships 2011: The Big Preview