Tanfield and Lowther enjoy national time trial triumphs

Charlie Tanfield, of Great Ayton, won the men’s Under-23s time trial at the British Road Championships after Wakefield’s Melissa Lowther had earlier claimed the women’s equivalent.

Victory for Tanfield, 21, is the latest honour in a momentous season that has seen him win team pursuit gold at the world championships and the individual pursuit title at the Commonwealth Games.

Riding for Canyon Eisberg, Tanfield stopped the clock at 36 mins 01.852 secs to add the British crown to his name, with Tom Pidcock, from Leeds, sealing bronze in 37:23.428.

“It’s a local course for me so I’ve spent the last few weeks riding on it on most days,” said Tanfield.

“I had two road targets this year – the national time trial and trying to get to the worlds as well. I wanted to show everyone what I could do – it’s my last year in the Under- 23s as well and I wanted to make the most of it.”

Lowther’s victory was redemption after what has been a trying year. The 22-year-old suffered a mechanical failure that denied her the Under-23s title last year and was then the victim of an administrative error that prevented her from riding the Commonwealth Games time trial in Australia in April.

Yesterday however, she finally got her hands on a title after finishing eighth overall in the senior women’s time trial, which equated to highest Under-23s rider.

Hannah Barnes won the women’s time trial by 17 seconds from her sister Alice. The men’s race was won by Geraint Thomas.