Peter Kennaugh of Team Sky has retained his British Road Race Champions title and will wear the British Champions jersey for the next year in road races
Lincoln was the venue for the 2015 National Championships and saw the riders which did not include either Geraint Thomas tackle a 197.6km course.
Mark Cavendish did compete and the Etixx Quickstep rider and a former champion was in a twenty strong front group with Team Sky well represented, which took a lead of 1.30.
With 102.7kms to go, Luke Rowe and Mark Cavendish were on the front with eight laps to go.
This elite group had a lead of forty two seconds over a chasing group which included Orica GreenEdge's Simon and Adam Yates and 3,38 over the peloton.
The front group split over the climb and with 78kms left, Peter Kennaugh riding a Pinarrello F8 bike, Cavendish, Ian Stannard, Luke Rowe, Adam Blythe and Scott Thwaites were ahead whilst down the road, Adam Yates dropped out of the second chasing group.
Peter Kennaugh, the current champion and Ian Stannard, then went clear, taking a twenty one seconds lead over Cavendish, Rowe, Blythe and Thwaites as riders split all over the 14km circuit.
With five more laps to go, Mark Cavendish tried an attack to bring back the Team Sky duo and went with Luke Rowe to get within twenty seconds of Kennaugh and Stannard and leaving Blythe and Twaites to fend for themselves.
Three laps later and Rowe got in front of Cavendish and was twenty seven seconds behind. Back came the Manxman and this duo started to work together, shaving eleven seconds off the lead of Kennaugh and Stannard.
There was just over a lap to go when the junction was made with Adam Blythe and Scott Thwaites some two minutes down.
Cavendish and Stannard went over the Michaelgate climb with just under thirteen kilometres left to start the final lap.
Ian Stannard put in a big attack to get slightly clear before Cavendish brought him back.and then put in an attack with Peter Kennaugh as they rode through Burton by Lincoln.
Under the flam rouge and it was Kennaugh with a tentative lead. Cavendish kept going but Kennaugh was away and won the title with Mark Cavendish in second. Ian Stannard just beat Rowe in to third place. Scott Thwaites of Bora Argon was fifth witn Adam Blythe in sixth.
Ouwain Douell of Team Wiggins finished seventh and became the British U23 champion.
Peter Kennaugh said to British Cycling: "One of the hardest races of my career. I was constantly on the pedals. It was stressful going up the Michaelgate climb but the atmosphere was superb and something I will never forget.
"I never thought i would get the win until I saw Cavendish behind me. Hats off to Cav, he was so strong and is not just a sprinter. I am so proud that I will be able to wear the British jersey yet again."
Cavendish, who picked up a knock on his shoulder, said:" It was a hard ride. Sky wanted to make things smaller. We got a small group second time up. I was not content with riding in third place and wanted to pull back. i thought I would go on the attack but cracked on the Michaelgate. I am however, super happy with what my form and my medal."
Stannard admitted that it was hard day and the ninth time up Michaelgate took its toll on the legs but he was happy with a bronze medal.
Source: DSG
