What an amazing weekend of mass participation and professional cycle racing, hosted superbly in the beautiful yet incredibly challenging hills of Pendle on the 26th and 27th June 2010.

 

 

National Road Race Championships

 

Described as the most challenging, climb packed National Road Race Championship, many of the country's elite were pushed to the limit.

 

On the starting line - TeamSky teammates with David Millar and Mark Cavendish

 

Only a small number of the original men's 130 crowd succeeded in the physical endurance of 15 laps of the Barley circuit, with many pulling out part way through the course.

                   

The first lap after the climb from Barley, at Annel Cross

     

 

TeamSky looked strong from the start

    

 

Mark Cavendish and David Millar check out the competition on the sharp right turn

     

 

Peter Kennaugh leading the group

 

 

Paul Oldham, Hope Factory Racing who finished in 30th place

     

David Millar and Mark Cavendish were just a few of those beaten by the combination of extremely tough climbing and the hottest weather of the summer so far. Even the tarmac on the roads was melting. Many of the riders poured bottle after bottle of cold water on to their heads in a futile endeavour to cool down before climbing yet again from Barley up to Annal Cross.

 

 

Cavendish feeling the strain, failed to complete the 15 laps.

 

The crowds turned out in force, many bringing picnics and spending the entire day camped out cheering on the many cycling heroes speeding round some of Pendle's finest countryside. With viewing areas at Barley, Roughlee and a park and ride from Downham up to Annel Cross, the competitors were encouraged to ride on throughout the laps.

 

The central hub of the day was the event village, with fantastic opportunities for spectators to pick up free Gatorade drinks, buy adidas clothing including the official sky team outfits and the specially designed Pendle Cycle Fest tops. As well as create a smoothie drink using pedal power along, enter the cottages4you competition, try out the CSP bikes and lots more.

 

The women's race was full of action

 

In the afternoon a crowd of hundreds basked in the glorious sun, by the side of the race course and watched the live action on the big screen which was being shown on Euro Sport. Using the helicopters, high camera cranes and crews on bikes following the race, coverage was continuous throughout the day.

 

Men's National Road Race Championships

 

Geraint Thomas was crowned British Road Champion 2010 and will be wearing the British Champions' jersey in the Tour de France with pride. It was a close finish and a sprint to the line with his teammate Pete Kennaugh after 180km of racing across Pendle.

   

Geraint Thomas beating his teammate Pete Kennaugh on the finish line

    

The day, as many predicted, was dominated by Sky Procycling and resulted in all podium positions being filled by this formidable team.  Thomas, Kennaugh and Ian Stannard pulled clear of all competition leading from the second half of the race and creating an impressive finish.

   

The triumphant TeamSky podium: Peter Kennaugh (silver), Geraint Thomas (gold) and Ian Stannard (bronze)

 

 

Winner of the U23's: Andrew Fenn

 

 

Women's National Road Race Championships

 

The women's race was an eventful morning, with a crash on the very first lap resulting in many injuries and the sad withdrawal of 12 women. As a result the race was aborted and restarted over an hour later, with the course being cut to just 4 laps due to time constraints.

     

Nicole Cooke and the Cervello team lining up for the second race start

 

Emma Pooley closely chasing the previous nine times winner Nicole Cooke

 

Crowds cheer on Lizzie Armistead after the climb up from Barley

 

Emma Pooley survived the crash and made the most of the reduction in course length and climbing route to take the winner's jersey after a surprise spring attack in the last stretch of the race.

 

Emma Pooley can't believe she has won, breaking the reign of Nicole Cooke.

 

Winning the championship was the biggest win of her life and broke the nine year winning achievement of Nicole Cooke, who had to settle for third with Lizzie Armstrong taking the second position.

 

Lizzie Armitstead (2nd), Emma Pooley (1st) and Nicole Cooke (3rd)

 

The women's U23 brought another medal for Lizzie Armistead, this time the gold medal for her stunning ride leaving Katie Colclough in silver and Emma Trott in third position.

 

Under 23 Podium: Katie Colclough, Lizzie Armitstead and Emma Trott

 

cottages4you National Cyclosportive

 

With 577 participants this year's Cyclosportive was the biggest National Cyclosportive in Pendle.

 

  

Setting off early in the morning

 

The route included the tough climbs of Waddington Fell, Nick O Pendle and Jeffrey's Hill with the longer route also including the spectacular Tatham Fell.

 

The extremely sunny day brought an extra physical challenge to an already demanding route. But frequent feed stations supported by Gatorade and CNP Professional Supplies ensured the cyclists were well watered and fed throughout the day. Setting off at 8-8.30 in the morning, cyclists arrived back to Barley from midday onwards, although many were still coming in towards teatime!

 

Congratulations to all who completed the circuit!

 

Timings for the 80km route

Timings for the 150km route

     

 

Pendle Cycle Fest

   

 

 

It was a fantastic range of cycling entertainment, activities, retail and displays which complemented the National Sportive and Road Race Champs on the same weekend.

 

Hundreds of spectators sat on Barley green watching the live coverage

 

Thank you to everyone who helped make this a truly memorable cycling event.

 

2010 Photographs

 

The official images from the cottages4you National Cyclosportive are now available online at:

 

 

Galleries of the National Road Race Championships and Pendle Cycle Fest can be seen here.

 

 

Read more from Men's British Cycling

Read more from Women's British Cycling