Ben Swift wants to make history and keep the British road racing title in the family Yorkshire News

Legends like Mark Cavendish never made it, and neither did Robert Millar.

Swift, 34, from Rotherham had never won one until 2019, when he cruised to victory at Norwich to claim what was then the crowning achievement of a career that spanned tours of the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, Milan-San Rowing. and the Beijing Olympics, to name just a few.

The fact that he then got his national jersey back on the return of the race last year after Covid forced the postponement of the 2020 edition speaks volumes about a rider who is still going strong.

It means the Ineos Grenadiers rider comes into the 2022 men’s race in Dumfries and Galloway as someone to watch, alongside the likes of Cavendish and UCI WorldTeam riders Fred Wright, Owain Doull and Jake Stewart.

Also on the start line at Castle Douglas is Ben’s cousin Connor Swift from Doncaster, an upset winner of the race in 2018, a happy coincidence that no rider outside the Swift family has ever won the national road race title. in five years.

Indeed, Yorkshire has a rich history of racing, producing champions such as Malcolm Elliott, Keith Lambert, Russell Downing and Adam Blythe over the years.

Ineos’ Ben Turner from Doncaster, who will travel in support of Ben Swift, Scott Thwaites (Alpecin Fenix) from Burley-in-Wharfedale, Joe Pidcock (Groupama FDJ) from Leeds, Great Ayton’s brothers Harry and Charlie Tanfield (Ribble Weldtite) and Gabz Cullaigh from Holmfirth (Saint Piran).

Further down the field and getting a taste of top-level competition are U-23 riders Adam Mitchell and George Wood of Cycling Sheffield, a team backed by local businesses.

The men’s race starts at 1:30pm on Sunday, with the women setting off on a slightly shorter 128km route from 9am.

Otley’s Lizzie Deignan is a four-time former national jersey winner, but her name is not on the start list.

Defending champion Pfeiffer Georgi will be among the favorites in the women’s race, with Anna Shackley and Anna Henderson also likely to be in the draw.

2019 winner Alice Barnes will be looking to return to the podium, while Josie Nelson will be looking to build on her strong second place finish at Lincoln last year.

From a Yorkshire perspective, Ripon’s Abi Smith (EF-Education) and Huddersfield’s Maddie Leech (CAMS Basso) come into the road race on a high after their recent selection from Team England for the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham later this summer, while Robin Clay represents Otley. cycling club.

Earlier this week, Ethan Hayter defended his time trial title as the British National Road Championships kicked off on Thursday.

The elite men’s podium was the same as last year, with Daniel Bigham and James Shaw finishing second and third respectively.

Team Ineos Grenadiers rider Hayter completed the 44.2km course in an impressive 50min 38.53sec at the Crichton estate in Dumfries.

Younger brother, and defending champion, Leo Hayter triumphed in the men’s under-23 time trial in Scotland. Joscelin Lowden won the elite women’s time trial ahead of Leah Dixon and Elizabeth Holden, while Georgi took the U-23 women’s crown.