ALEX DOWSETT won a fourth elite British time-trial title on Thursday with a dominant display at Cadwell Park in Lincolnshire.
The 26-year-old from Maldon, Essex succeeded the absent Sir Bradley Wiggins as British champion and drew level with Stuart Dangerfield's record haul of time-trial crowns.
Wiggins, who is now concentrating on the track in his bid for a fifth Olympic gold in Rio next summer, won at Celtic Manor last year and claimed the world title last September.
Dowsett, whose Hour Record was broken by Wiggins earlier this month, is next week hoping to ride in his first Tour de France with Movistar.
Commonwealth Games champion Dowsett was favourite to reclaim the title he won for three successive years from 2011 to 2013 and finished the 45-kilometres course in one hour 00 minutes 11.13 seconds to win by 3:31.12 seconds.
Ed Bradbury was second and Ryan Perry third, 3:51.15 behind.
Dowsett's father raced in motorsport around Cadwell Park, so he was on familiar territory.
He was delighted to win the white jersey with red and blue bands again.
"It's lovely to get it back," Dowsett told britishcycling.org.uk.
"It's really significant being national champion. Now every time I do a time-trial I get to wear this. It stands me out as either the British or Dutch national champion.
"I couldn't have lost it to a more talented guy last year in Brad, but it's nice to have it back."
Hayley Simmonds won the corresponding women's race to succeed Emma Pooley, who retired from professional cycling last year.
Simmonds won the 34km event in 51:39.89, with Molly Weaver 1:18.29 behind in second and 11-time Paralympic champion Dame Sarah Storey third, 1:20.72 behind.
Simmonds said on britishcycling.org.uk: "It's completely overwhelming - I've worked really hard for this.
"I hoped it was going to be really close and I just went out and did the ride that I thought I could, did the effort I thought I could and obviously it paid off."
The men's under-23 time-trial, contested over 34km, was won by defending champion Scott Davies in 47:20.32.
Owain Doull was second in 47:26.53 and Tao Geoghegan Hart third in 47:37.90.
The men's and women's road races, slated to feature defending champions Laura Trott and Pete Kennaugh, take place in Lincoln on Sunday.
Commonwealth Games champion Lizzie Armistead is slated to start despite her Aviva Women's Tour-ending crash, but Geraint Thomas is among the leading men to miss out.
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