Competitions

Sky confirms team for road cycling's Naitonal Championships

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Parent Category: Competitions

Category: Race 2011

Published on Tuesday, 07 June 2011 17:40

Written by Luca Salvatelli

Geraint Thomas has confirmed he will be defending his title at the British National Road Race Championships in Northumberland on Sunday 26 June.

The Welshman is one of nine Team Sky riders who are currently planning to travel to Stamfordham to battle it out for the white champion's jersey, and they will be part of a strong field which includes many other WorldTour professionals.

Thomas took the title 12 months ago by edging out Team Sky teammates Peter Kennaugh and Ian Stannard in Lancashire, and that same trio will be in action again on the challenging countryside circuit, along with Russell Downing, Alex Dowsett, Chris Froome, Jeremy Hunt, Ben Swift and Bradley Wiggins.

Thomas said: "I'm obviously going to try my best to win it again but it's going to be hard as it looks a bit of an easier course than last year so a lot more guys can race it.

"But it has been great being the national champion over the last 12 months - it's like representing Great Britain in every race you are in.

"You obviously stand out a bit more and it's similar to wearing the leader's jersey in a stage race, you just get that lift every day you’ve got it on."

Thomas has had an outstanding year as national champion, with highlights including a spell in the young rider's jersey at the Tour de France as well as his first overall stage-race victory at Bayern-Rundfahrt last month.

He agreed: "It's definitely been a pretty memorable 12 months and wearing the national champion's jersey as well has made it even more special."

Of the day itself - for which full ticket details are available at the bottom of this article - Thomas added: "It's always a bit different at the nationals - it obviously means a lot to so many people and everyone wants to win it. We’ll just take it as it comes and see what happens but it should be a great day again."

Thomas' teammate Wiggins will be also hoping to add the road race title to his long list of achievements after winning the National Time Trial Championship for the last two years while sprinter Ben Swift has had a stellar season on the road with five victories already.

And it's not just in Britain that Team Sky are well represented, with Christian Knees defending his German title the same day while Kurt-Asle Arvesen, Kjell Carlström, Juan Antonio Flecha, Edvald Boasson Hagen, Thomas Löfkvist and Lars Petter Nordhaug are also scheduled to line up in their respective championships.

The British National Elite Road Racing Championships take place around Northumberland as part of the Northern Rock Cyclone weekend (24 to 26 June) – which also includes Newcastle’s Leazes Criteriums on the Friday night and the Northern Rock Cyclone Challenge ride on the Saturday.