Kate Allan defended her title at the Women’s National 10-mile Championships on Sunday morning, adding to the 2024 national titles she has already secured over 25, 50 and 100 miles.

Riding for Team Bottrill, Allan posted a time of 19-59 to claim the title ahead of team-mate Emily Martin, who finished in 20-13 for second place, while a time of 20-36 was enough to see Alex Clay, also of Team Bottrill, into the final podium position.

Allan had finished just five seconds behind Martin at the National Closed Circuit Championships in Goodwood last month, but she reversed the standings here to claim another champions cap.

The event was organised by Hitchin Nomads CC and took place near Cambourne in Cambridgeshire.

“I’m really pleased,” said Allan. “It’s not been a year of 10-mile events and I had a wake-up call to that during the Closed Circuit Championships.

“In the past three weeks I’ve been really 10-focused and my coach has ramped things up - there has been a lot of high intensity training and I’ve made a few changes to my bike. I’m pleased it’s all come together so well.

“The dual carriageway courses suit me as they’re smooth, flat, and fast. It was windy but there wasn’t as much of a headwind on the way out as I had been advised there might be.

“It felt as though it was a little harder on the first leg but not as much on the return, so there wasn’t a block headwind or tailwind situation. It wasn’t a course of two-halves, so to speak.”

And on competing with her team-mates for the title, Allan added: “It makes it interesting. We’re in contact a lot which is great and at the heart of it there is a brilliant friendship circle, but we’re all fiercely competitive.

“I guess it just makes you work harder. You know how strong your team-mates are, you’ve got strong benchmarks and as a consequence it’s more motivating - we bring each other on.

“‘I’ve got a few races across September to try and improve upon my BBAR results, so it will be a combination of 10s, 25s and 50s. I think I’ll be racing most weekends to try and improve those times! I’ve not done many fast courses this year so ’ve just got to chip away at them. I finish with the Welsh 50-Mile Championships on September 28.”

Peggy Simpkins (Banbury Star Cyclists' Club) was the first espoir rider to finish in 22-31, a time which earned her a place just behind Howell in the overall standings.

Top prize in the 40-44 veterans category went to Hazel Smyth, who finished in 22-11 to secure tenth place overall.

Shaftesbury CC rider Louise Robinson was the quickest 45-49 veteran competitor with a time of 21-07, while Claire Hall of Parenesis-TougHuman Cycling was fastest in the over 50-54 age category with 22-56

 Denise Hurren of Sole Bay Cycle Sport was the first 55-59 aged veteran to cross the line in 22-40, while Jen Clegg (Team Bottrill) was the fastest 70 plus veteran to finish with 25-03, earning her 32nd place in the process.

It was a great day all round for Team Bottrill as they took home the team prize with a combined time of 1.00.05, just 38 seconds short of the national record.

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

* Photos by CM Sports Photography.

Results:

1. Kate Allan (Team Bottrill) 19.56

2. Emily Martin (Team Bottrill) 20.13

3. Alex Clay (Team Bottrill) 20.36

4. Laura Davies (Jadan Vive Le Velo) 21.03

5. Louise Robinson (Shaftesbury CC) 21.07

6. Lauren Creamer (Velo Fixers) 21.22