Ian Bibby (NFTO) and Nicola Juniper (Giordana Triton) were crowned 2015 British Cycling National Circuit Race Champions on Wednesday evening in Barnsley, South Yorkshire.
Bibby took his first circuit race title after attacking with two laps to go in the fast-paced men’s event. Bibby had been part of a leading group that had been animated by an early move by Stephen Williams (Pedal Heaven).
Bibby joined Williams, Alex Paton (Pedal Heaven), Kristian House (JLT Condor), Graham Briggs (JLT Condor) and George Atkins (One Pro Cycling) before attacking the group and taking the victory.
Action during the men’s race in Barnsley
Briggs came home for second place, with Atkins in third.
Bibby was happy with his ‘unexpected’ win, and said after the race: “I have not won a crit this year but it was quite a hard circuit of climbing and I thought I would bide my time and leave it late. It’s been a hard night and I thought I would save my energy for the last few laps and leave it until the end and when you attack, attack properly.
“It’s a really good time to win, I’ve won cross and mountain before so to get one on the road, really happy.”
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Earlier in the evening, Juniper’s Giordana Triton team had dominated the women’s race alongside Wiggle-Honda. Juniper and team-mates Annasley Park, Grace Garner and Abby-Mae Parkinson had joined with Wiggle-Honda duo Amy Roberts and defending champion Eileen Roe.
Nicola Juniper wins 2015 British Cycling National Circuit Race Championships – Barnsley Women’s Race
Juniper led the action into the race’s final climb, keeping up the momentum to take the victory with Roe in second and Roberts in third.
“I didn’t know how I’d fare on the hill but I had a bit of a gap and just went for it, head down,” said Juniper after her victory. “So excited, my first stripes as a senior, I got the masters old girls’ jersey last year but it feels really good to get this one.”
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