Newly-minted Under-23 rider Scott Davies got the British national championships off to a good start for the host nation as the 19-year-old Welshman, riding for Madison-Genesis, romped home at Celtic Manor near Newport to claim the title.
Having spent the early part of the year in Australia with GB, he went on to spend five weeks in Belgium with GB manager Keith Lambert. “I thought Scott would go well here, it’s a course that suits him, he can climb and he can time trial and I think you needed a to be good at both.”
Davies unseated early starter, longtime leader and recent Tour of Korea winner Hugh Carthy (Rapha Condor JLT) whose 28-58 was good enough until the final few riders crossed the line.
Harry Tanfield (KTM) tied with Carthy, then Davies, Dan McClay (Lotto Under-23) and another Welshman Owain Doull (An Post Chain Reaction) unseated Carthy and Tanfield.
Defending champion, NFTO’s Sam Harrison, was a non-starter. Harrison had made inquiries about riding the senior event, but when he was told it wasn’t possible, Harrison opted to sit out the event.
Davies to Commonwealth Games
Davies was yesterday confirmed as a member of the Welsh Commonwealth Games team as his career continues to progress.
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“It hasn't sunk in to be honest,” he told CW. “I knew how much Owain wanted to win this, so I feel for him, but I'm really pleased to take the win.
“In the last month I've done a lot of open 10s and club time trials, and it's come together. The training paid off, and I've rekindled my love of time trialling.
“It's always good to stretch yourself and set new goals. The hard thing now is to progress from here – I came in here as the underdog, which won't be the case next year. The hard work is to come. I just can't become complacent, and crack on.”
Results British Time Trial Championships, men's under-23 race, Newport
1. Scott Davies (Madison-Genesis) 27-45
2. Owain Doull (An Post - Chain Reaction) at 0-24
3. Daniel Mclay (Lotto-Belisol U23) at 0-59
4. Hugh Carthy (Rapha Condor JLT) at 1-13
5. Harry Tanfield (KTM road-and-trail.com) at 1-13
6. Lawrence Carpenter (Catford CC Equipe/Banks) at 1-16
7. Alex Peters (Madison-Genesis) at 1-20
8. Samuel Williams (NFTO) at 1-29
9. Alexander Royle (BH-Solidor-WAM Youth) at 1-33
10. Zachery May (Metaltek KUOTA RT) at 1-38
Scott Davies, British time trial national championships, under-23 men
(Image credit: Andy Jones)
Owain Doull, British time trial national championships, under-23 men
(Image credit: Andy Jones)
Dan McLay, British time trial national championships, under-23 men
