|
Emma Trott foresees a two way battle between her Boels Dolmans Cycling Team and Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling for the women’s title at the British Cycling National Road Race Championships.
The 23-year-old, whose sister Laura rides for British outfit Wiggle Honda, will have 2011 winner Liz Armitstead and Lucy Martin for company in the Dutch team.
As well as double Olympic champion Laura Trott, Wiggle Honda have included Dani King, Joanna Rowsell, Elinor Barker and Amy Roberts from the Great Britain Cycling Team in its ranks for the race on 23 June in Glasgow.
“I’m looking forward to the road nationals, I’m starting to get form now. Lizzie and I have got a really great team to bring a jersey back,” Trott said when asked about Armitstead’s chances.
“As long as one of us wins I don’t think the team will be too bothered who gets it. Lizzie will definitely be up with there with the favourites, she’s proved that over the years. She’s just starting to hit her stride now.
“I think it is going to be us versus Wiggle. From what I saw last night [at the London Nocturne] I am not really scared of Wiggle to be honest. I think when we can bring Lizzie and Lucy the jersey will be coming back with us. I’m pretty confident of that.”
“I’d love to win the national jersey for the road and then go to the Giro Rosa, it’d be pretty special."
Emma Trott
MG-Maxifuel Pro Cycling, with Tour Series and London Nocturne winner Hannah Barnes, Matrix Fitness Racing Academy and Breast Cancer Care Cycling Team have also named robust line-ups in search of a result in Scotland.
They will manoeuvre their way around a 14.2-kilometre city centre circuit which Trott expects to present an alternative challenge to previous national championship courses.
“It’s like a kermesse, crit and road race chucked into one and I’m really looking forward to it,” the 2006 junior British road champion said.
“I think it is going to be something different. I think it will play into the hands of those who have the technical skills on the corners. I think it’s going to favour the pro riders, the technicality puts a lot of riders out of the back. I can’t see it going any other way.
“There are two major teams this year with Wiggle and us.”
Trott will also take part in Thursday’s time trial having finished third last year behind Wendy Houvenaghel and Julia Shaw.
Prevailing on the 35.2-kilometre route is an attainable goal for Trott who has succeeded at the under 23 level and will go on to the Giro Rosa Grand Tour from 30 June to 7 July.
“I have quite a good track record at the nationals especially on time trials,” Trott said. “I won the under 23 time trial title for as long as I could win it and last year I progressed on to third for the seniors so it’d be nice to get a medal there.
“I’d love to win the national jersey for the road and then go to the Giro Rosa, it’d be pretty special. If everyone looks at Lizzie there’s no reason why myself or Lucy Martin can’t kick off the front.”
Highlights of the British Cycling National Road Championships will be broadcast on ITV4 on Monday 24 June at 7pm.
