Joscelin Lowden and Chris Fennell (The Independent Pedaler) were comfortably fastest riders, taking the National Closed Circuit Championship titles for the first time on Sunday at Thruxton motor circuit.

Fennell took his second national title of the year with his first coming in the national 25-mile event earlier this year.

He clocked 21-47 upon completing five laps of the Thruxton circuit, a venue typically used by vehicles, but that didn’t stop the Kent-based rider from averaging over 32mph to finish 40 seconds quicker than second place.

“I had a perfect ride. I know the circuit like the back of my hand, and it helped. Everything went according to plan and I couldn’t really have asked for a better day,

“I want to come back next year and retain the title and I’ll have an eye on the other national titles too,” said Fennell.

Joscelin Lowden – a team-mate of Fennell’s – finished as fastest woman and like her team-mate doubled her solo national title in 2019 with her second victory.

Lowden can now boast five national titles in her trophy cabinet, with the four before in the 2017 hill-climb championship, as well as the team time trial winner in the same year and again in 2019 before the national 10-mile event this season.

Lowden’s winning time was 24-22; 45 seconds better off than yet another Independent Pedaler rider to find themselves in the podium spots.

“I’m very pleased with my ride,” said Lowden. “I’d done the prep work and think it went very well so even better to come out with the win with good power and timings.

“I’ve been surprisingly comfy on flat circuits, so I’ll be hoping to come back and challenge next year.”

Back in the men’s standings, Ken Buckley (Nuun-Sigma Sport-London RT) finished second, crossing the line in 22-27. Arthur Franklin (Team HUUB) was third in 22-41 after coming into the event on a run of four consecutive victories.

Independent Pedaler team-mate Emily Meakin was Lowden’s nearest rival in 25-07.

Meakin – a national champion over 25 miles herself – may not have won but finishes the season having finished on the podium in every national championship event she has entered this season.

Megan Dickerson (Storey Racing) capped off an impressive 2019 season with the bronze medal in 25-53.

Brett Harwood (Team Bottrill) came fourth overall while finishing as the quickest veteran.

Thomas Day (Giant CC Halo Films) and Zoe Backstedt (Storey Racing) were quickest junior riders.

Day clocked 22-56, winning by 53 seconds while Backstedt finished in 25-59; over 30 seconds quicker than second place.

* All reports are copyright of Cycling Time Trials/Snowdon Sports. Not to be used without permission. This report by Jack Cudworth.

* A full gallery of images from this event by Kimroy Photography is available here