Commonwealth Games champion Lizzie Armitstead admits she can’t wait to show off her new national jersey this year after powering to success in this weekend’s British road race in Lincoln.
Just 11 days after being flown to hospital after winning stage one of the Women’s Tour, Armitstead showed she was back to full fitness as she crossed the lined one minute and 52 seconds ahead of her nearest rival.
The 2012 Olympic silver medallist went clear on the penultimate ascent of Michaelgate in the centre of Lincoln before completing the final eight-mile lap all on her own.
Silver went to Alice Barnes while Commonwealth Games points race champion Laura Trott was third.
"It means I get to be proud of being British in all the races that I do,” said Armitstead.
"It means a lot - it means new kit for a start! I go to the Giro on Friday so it will be a quick turnaround for them.
"I had some good people around me before the start who told me to believe in myself and I listened.
“It was a difficult race. The longer the race went on the better I started to feel.”
Meanwhile, in the men’s race, Glasgow 2014 cyclist Ian Stannard had to settle for third, with Peter Kennaugh successfully defending his title ahead of 2013 winner Mark Cavendish.
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