NATIONAL champions were made in the country lanes around Northwich on Saturday.

Paracyclists from across the UK tackled an undulating course on the open roads of Wincham, Pickmere and Great Budworth in British Cycling’s National Paracycling Time Trial Championships.

Athletes raced handcycles, trikes, bicycles and tandems against the clock in the event, which was organised by British Cycling and Weaver Valley Cycling Club.

Northwich Guardian:

Paul West, from British Cycling, said: “It’s gone really well.“There was a good mix of riders, everyone enjoyed it and there were some quality winners as well.”

One of the winners was Mel Nicholls, who was surprised when she scooped gold in the female handcycle category.

“I’ve never done anything like this before,” said the newly minted national champion.

“I’m a wheelchair racer and do handcycling as cross training.

“The course was undulating, which I quite liked because you can get a bit of relief, it’s not constant effort, although some of the steeper hills were quite tough.

“There was traffic and some horses on the route so you had to have your wits about you.

“I didn’t expect to win so it’s a weird feeling - it’s amazing.”

She completed two of the six-mile laps in 46 minutes and 16 seconds.

Northwich Guardian:

Another gold medallist was Simon Price, of team Para T, who won gold in the male bicycle.

He did three laps in 42 minutes and one second.

“It was a really tough course,” he said.

“There wasn’t really many places where you could recover.

“It was a case of digging deep all the way round and trying to hold the speed where you could.

“It was technical and tough.

“With all the corners you had to have a certain amount of caution as much as you wanted to go quickly.”

He added: “When riding a time trial it’s about getting out the performance you can, you have no control over anyone else’s times.

“I was just trying to ride an honest race, keep working hard and hope to get the right result.”

Hannah Dines, from Team Bicycles, won gold in the female trike category with one lap at 22 minute 52 seconds, Kristy Howells, from Ashford Wheelers CC, won the female bicycle with two laps at 35 minutes and 14 seconds, Brian Alldis, from West Suffolk Wheelers and Triathlon Club, won the male hand cycle with three laps at 56 minutes and 21 seconds and Steve Bate and Adam Duggleby, from Wheelbase Altura MGD, won the tandem with three laps at 37 minutes and 46 seconds.

The course was marshalled by volunteers from Weaver Valley Cycling Club.

Northwich Guardian: