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

Hayley Simmonds, British time trial championships 2016

(Image credit: Andy Jones)

By Nigel Wynn 2016-06-23T16:20:05Z

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