Hayley Simmonds (Team WNT Pro Cycling) secured a third National 25-mile Championship crown in a row with a commanding victory in South Wales on Saturday.

The 29-year-old from Cambridge clocked 50.10 for the R25/3h course, a championship record time despite some winds making it tough going in some patches.

That time gave her the win by more than a minute and a half from her nearest rival, Rachael Elliott (Drag2Zero), while just two seconds further back in third spot was 2016 runner-up Anna Turvey (Tyneside Vagabonds CC).

Provisionally, Elliott led Drag2Zero to a new team national competition record too, with fourth-placed Kate Allan and Alice Lethbridge in sixth spot making up the winning trio.

Their time of 2-36-13 was more than 10 minutes quicker than the record set just two weeks ago in the Realteam event by the VeloSistas trio of Stephanie Post, Andrea Parish and Nadine Cannon. Both the Velosistas and Drag2zero performances are yet to be ratified.

“This was my first proper 25 of the year,” said Simmonds, who has been riding road races this season with her new team WNT Pro Cycling. “Although I’ve ridden quite a few time trials as prologues in stage races.”

Although the early starters in the junior championship enjoyed a tailwind on the way back, by the time the women’s field started it had turned into a crosswind, and Simmonds added: “As soon as I started I could tell it wasn’t the day for competition records.

“On the bank normally you can take it easy going down there, but it was so windy that I struggled to keep it going.”

The R25/3h is based near Rhigos and largely uses the A465 dual carriageway in the picturesque Vale of Neath.

After starting on a minor road near the Hirwaun Industrial Estate, riders turn West and power along through Glynneath and Resolven, before turning at Aberdulais and heading back up to a finish just to the east of Glynneath.

* All reports are copyright of Cycling Time Trials/Snowdon Sports. Not to be used without permission.

* A full gallery of images from the Women and Junior Championships by Kimroy Photography is available to view here.