Kate Allan (Team Bottrill) was the only rider to break the 20-minute barrier as she took a clear victory by 38 seconds in the women’s RTTC National 10 Mile Championships.

Allan, aged 38, flew out and back on the A189 in Northumberland posting a winning time of 19 minutes and 51 seconds.

Starting outside Cramlington the M101 saw riders join the rolling A189 before heading out and back to the turn at North Seaton, finishing just short of the start.

The championship event was organised by Sharon Dyson on behalf of the Northumberland and Durham Cycling Association (N&DCA) with volunteers coming from across the district.

Allan, from Maidenhead, recorded an average speed of over 30.2 miles per hour to take her third national title of the season – also winning the National 25 last weekend and Team Time Trial Championships.

Taking part in her first open time trial Lucy Byram (Team Sheffield) led a close battle for second stopping the clock in 20-29.

Just three seconds further behind was Alex Clay (Team Bottrill) in 20-32, while Emily Martin had to settle for fourth in 20-40 but helped Team Bottrill to the team prize.

Joined by Allan and Clay the Team Bottrill trio posted a combined time of 1-01-03.

Allan has been recovering from a crash which ruled her out of the National 50 and 100-mile Championships and her time was three seconds slower than Spindata predicted.

After winning the National 10-mile Championships for the first time last season it was the first time that Allan has defended a national title.

“It was good, a really good course which played to my strengths,” said Allan.

“It was rolling, fairly up and down which helped to break up the monotony a little bit and there was only one turn to negotiate.

“Personally I couldn’t have given it any more and paced it perfectly. I had spent everything by the finish, I’m really pleased with my ride.

“It played to my strengths as I like the courses which are fairly varied, there was ups and downs and a bit of variety there.

“I take quite well to that, spinning out on the descents and grinding out on the smaller climbs plays to my strengths as a rider.”

Allan is considering targeting the National Closed Circuit Championships next month. She also plans to also compete in next weekend’s Cambridge 25 and Tring 10 the following week in an attempt to improve her BBAR result.

Pictures by Kimroy Photography. Full picture gallery here

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