Alex Dowsett vs Bradley Wiggins in British time trial champs
Alex Dowsett aiming for fourth consecutive national time trial title - but he'll have to beat Bradley Wiggins

Alex Dowsett has no intention of relinquishing his long-standing title as British national time trial champion but will face his biggest challenge yet when he vies for a fourth consecutive victory against a field that includes Olympic gold medallist Bradley Wiggins next Thursday.
Wiggins abandoned the Tour of Switzerland yesterday due to a crash-related injury but still features on the 56-strong elite men’s start list that also includes David Millar and Geraint Thomas.
Dowsett has had a stranglehold on the championship since making his senior debut in 2011 and last year even recovered from a crash on the 49.2km course in Stewarton to best Matthew Bottrill and Ben Swift, who will both return in 2014.
“Having Wiggins as my two-minute man is a bit surreal. It’s not going to be a walk in the park that’s for sure,” Dowsett told Cycling Weekly.
“I think the field is a lot more competitive. Last year I had Swift, [Luke] Rowe and Bottrill and I think the fact it was all the way up in Glasgow put a lot of people off. The year before my two, four and six-minute men didn’t turn up so that was one of the easiest races I’ve ever won.
“I don’t think Geraint will miss an opportunity to race in Wales and Wiggins, I think it just falls in line with what he’s got planned this year,” he added of the bolstered field in what is a Commonwealth Games year.
“I’m not in the slightest way confident but I don’t think you have to be in a time trial. I’m confident I’ll go out and do the best ride I can possibly do. What you can’t control is how quick everyone else goes so I’m hoping that whatever I do will be good enough.”
Dowsett caused an upset when he beat stage favourite Wiggins in the 54.8km time trial of the 2013 Giro d’Italia, which doubled as his Grand Tour debut.
The off-contract Movistar professional recently shattered the national 10-mile record setting a new benchmark of 17 minutes and 20 seconds before riding an odd 80km back to his Essex base with a “bigger picture”, being a Tour de France debut, in mind.
Dowsett has been consistent in time trials this season finishing fifth in a 13.6km test at the Volta ao Algarve in February. The 25-year-old was sixth in a 9.1km race against the clock at Tirreno-Adriatico in March and won the 6.8km time trial at the Circuit de la Sarthe in April.
Dowsett is not overly familiar with the 2014 national course in Monmouthshire, Wales, but suggests it too will impact on the outcome of the title race.
“I’ve seen information on it and what not. It’s not a time triallists time trial necessarily – it’s quite technical,” he said. “I think Geraint could be a real threat in something like that. We’ll see. I’m not planning on giving up the jersey any time soon.”
Twitter: @SophieSmith86
Alex Dowsett on Movistar's Tour de France shortlist
British time trial specialist Alex Dowsett named among 13 riders in Movistar's Tour de France pre-selection list
Bradley Wiggins out of Tour de Suisse with injury
Bradley Wiggins a non-starter on stage five of the Tour de Suisse after crashing during Tuesday's stage
Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Sophie Smith is an Australian journalist, television reporter and presenter, who has provided coverage for Cycling Weekly from races across the world. She has covered eight Tours de France, as well as reporting for national and international newspapers as well as other magazines.
Follow Sophie Smith on Twitter and Instagram:
Instagram: sophiesmith86
Twitter: @SophieSmith86
-
-
Fresh start for Dylan Groenewegen after comeback victory at Tour de France
Team BikeExchange-Jayco rider is at his first Tour de France since serving his nine-month suspension for causing crash
By Adam Becket • Published
-
'It’s the Magnus Cort show': How Dane enacted last-minute plan to thrill home crowds
Denmark's staging of the Tour de France has been enlightened enormously by the performances and smiles of the EF Education-Easy Post rider
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published
-
Julian Alaphilippe expected to miss the Tour de France
Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl set to leave out the two-time world champion
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Mark Cavendish sprints to his second British National Road title
The Manx missile put in a stellar performance in Scotland to secure the second National road title of his illustrious career
By Pete Trifunovic • Published
-
Alice Towers wins British National Road Championships with long-range solo attack
The 19-year-old became British champion amidst brutal weather conditions in Dumfries and Galloway
By Pete Trifunovic • Published
-
Matthew Bostock and Josie Nelson take British circuit race titles
Bostock and Nelson edge two frenetic circuit races.
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
'Dismiss Geraint Thomas at your peril' — Bradley Wiggins sees Welshman as Tour de France 'underdog'
Ineos Grenadiers rider will head to Tour off the back of Tour de Suisse win
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Bradley Wiggins: It would be a 'real shame' if Mark Cavendish wasn't at the Tour de France
Cavendish's former teammate and Madison partner thinks it would be "crazy" not to pick him
By Adam Becket • Published
-
British National Road Championships 2022 route
Full details of the 2022 Nationals, held from June 23-26
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
Elinor Barker set to return to road racing three months after giving birth
Olympic gold medallist down to ride British National Championships in fortnight
By Adam Becket • Published