Anna Flynn (Spectra Racing) soloed to a commanding victory in the elite women's race at the British Cyclo-cross National Championships, mastering the unpleasant conditions in South Shields to lead for most of the race.
Defending champion Xan Crees (OGT p/b USE) claimed silver after a battle for the runner-up spot, with Grace Inglis (Team HUP) taking bronze.
The under-23 title went to Elena Day (Spectra Racing), marking a good day for the British squad.
It was wet and windy in South Shields on the northeastern coast on Sunday, meaning that although the course wasn't too technical, it was a challenging day in the women's race at Cyclo-cross Nationals.
Flynn led the race from early on, initially with Zoe Roche and then on her own, and despite a spirited chase – particularly from Crees – she held on to take the victory, her first elite title.
"I'm still in a bit of shock," she said at the finish. "It went really well I think, I got away on the first lap, and then from there, once I had a gap, just tried to focus on riding the technical sections really well. I just stayed focused and managed to stay away, I'm really, really happy.
"I quite like riding at the front so I can choose my own lines. The technical stuff is probably my strength, so I was quite happy on the front. I was a bit worried on some of the windy straights that if [Roche] was behind me, she'd be sitting on a bit, but once I got away, I just focused on riding my own race."
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