Gallery: British cycling championships at York

Well it certainly knocks our commute into a cocked cycle helmet. Competitors in the British Cycling Men’s and Women’s National Circuit Race Championships in York on Sunday (July 21) showed the sort of speed and skill on two wheels that the amateurs can only dream about.

Thousands gathered in the city centre to enjoy a taste of race cycling on the day Chris Froome secured a second successive British victory in the Tour de France. The excitement of the event and the obvious delight of the spectators gives an idea of what lies in store when the tour comes to York next summer.

The York Cycling City Races saw local riders compete for glory before the national championships began. There were thrills and spills – a crash on the first lap of the women’s race forced a restart – and some awesome sprint finishes.

Russell Downing of the Netapp Endura team held off close competition from Graham Briggs (Team Raleigh) to take the men’s title.

In the women’s race, Hannah Barnes (MG Maxifuel) won her third circuit championship crown after another sprint finish.

Another winner was the city of York which staged the event in style and supported it in numbers. Here’s to next year, mon petit choux-fleurs…

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