Lizzie Armitstead is the new British Women's Road Race Champion after riding away to a stunning victory in the British National Women's Road Race.
A 107km course in Lincoln saw Claire Thomas and Amy Roberts brake early until Joanna Rowsell joined them with 25kms to go just as they had taken on the Michaelgate climb in Lincoln City centre as Lizzie Armitstead led the peloton, who were 51 seconds behind.
Armitstead, the leader of the Women's World Cup, brought up an elite group to join the escapers on a cloudy day to form a group of Lizzie Armitstead, Hannah Barnes, Alice Barnes, Molly Weaver, Joanna Rowsell, Nikki Harris, Laura Trott, Claire Thomas and Amy Roberts.
Katie Archibald joined the elite group for the last fifteen kilometres but on the penultimate lap, Dame Sarah Storey brought what was left of the peloton up to the escapers.
On the Michaelgate climb, Lizzie Armitstead powered away with Laura Trott following.
Armitstead, showing no signs of her crash in the women's tour, started to put some distance into Trott and the Yorkshire hailing Armitstead rode away to take the title for a third time in 2.51.14.
Alice Barnes finished second, 1.52 down to give her the Under 23 title as well with Laura Trott third with Molly Weaver fourth and Nkkii Harris in fifth.
Armitstead, the Boels-Darmans rider said: "A difficult race and a hard one to control. I am just pleased to have got away and won. The longer the race went on, I pushed it on and I knew if I went for it, I could drop everyone.
"I get to be proud to be British in every race I do."
Bronze Medalist Laura Trott said: "Lizzie (Armitstead) was in a league of her own and no-one could follow. Our group just rolled round until the sprint at the end. This year, Lizzie was not going to make the mistake she did which allowed me to win last year and i am pleased to be on the podium with her."
Source: DSG
