John Archibald (HUUB WattShop) won the National 25-Mile Championship for the third time following a commanding ride in Cheshire.

The 33-year-old, originally from Edinburgh, recorded an average speed of over 31.6 miles per hour on his way to posting a winning time of 47-23.

Archibald also won the title in both 2020 and 2021 and was in fine form finishing 1-41 ahead of his nearest competitor.

The J2/21 was split into two out and back legs starting and finishing in Lower Withington.

First riders headed down the A535 to Holmes Chapel and then A34 to Congleton before making the return journey.

Approaching the 18-mile mark riders then completed a short out and back leg continuing on the A355 to Chelford Cricket Club.

Almost perfect conditions met riders with the early drizzle drying out and there was only a slight wind to compete against.

Archibald came into the event as firm favourite having won nine from 10 open events - including the National 100 and 50-mile Championships.

Spindata had predicted Archibald to win in 48-09 but in favourable conditions he lowered that mark by 46 seconds.

A close battle for second saw Josh Charlton (Hetton Hawks CC) post 49-04 which was just four seconds quicker than Michael Gill (Richardsons-Trek RT) in third (49-08), meanwhile Adam Duggleby (ADDFORM Vive Le Velo) was a further four seconds back.

“As the course dog-legs back and forth you never really got the wind in one direction or one set pace, it was quite engaging in that way,” said Archibald.

“The course was a little bit lumpy, by no means was it hilly, but it was lumpy to the point where there were a few downhills where you didn’t pedal much and a few uphills which you had to kick up pretty hard.

“There were also a few roundabouts and junctions. It was a nice course.

“My time was faster than Spindata predicted which I don’t know what to make of. It was a good ride.

“I could tell that I was slightly up [on my opponents] at the first roundabout and then there was somebody on the course who shouted to me with five kilometres to go to say that I was over a minute up, which is a nice thing to hear when you’re hurting quite a bit.

“I could see Adam Duggleby’s back light with about two or three kilometres to go, but didn’t catch anybody.”

Team Bottrill won the team award with Jake Sargent (50-07), Rob Francis (50-30) and Joshua Williams (51-01) all contributing.

James Poulson (Orien.cc) was the quickest competitor on a road bike with his time of 1-02-39 ten seconds quicker than Ben Phyall (Stratford Cycling Club), while Mark Fenn (Shropshire CCA) was third quickest (1-03-05).

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