Simmonds firing on all cylinders
National Women’s 25-mile Time Trial Championships | August 6 | Alconbury, Cambs
Hayley Simmonds (Aerocoach) battled 17 roundabouts and a road surface she described as ‘dead’ to clinch her second National 25-mile championship title.
The Cambridgeshire course is not known for fast times, and so it proved with Simmonds’s 54.57 over five minutes slower than her national record.
“The recent road resurfacing on a section of the course slowed the road down and made it completely dead,” said Simmonds following her win. “Nearby roadworks also added to the traffic, but each course provides its own challenges.
“I’m really happy with my time as when I looked at the course I knew if the conditions weren’t bad I could clock a long 54 minutes.”
Anna Turvey (Tyneside Vagabonds) was rewarded for her trip from the North East with a silver medal in a time of 56.31. She will also take on Simmonds for the 10-mile title in two weeks.
Claire Rose (Podium Ambition Racing) added a bronze medal to the silver she earned at the British National Time Trial Championship with a time of 57.03.
The hot conditions hampered many riders, with medal hopeful Angela Hibbs (Fusion RT Fierlan) taken to hospital after collapsing.
After being disappointed at missing out on a spot at the Rio Olympics, Simmonds is now aiming to be selected for the World Champs in Qatar.