The race for the prestigious blue, white and red striped jerseys of the British national road race and time trial champions takes centre stage next week.
Abergavenny, which lasted hosted the national championships in 2009, will welcome an all-star cast for the races, with Sir Bradley Wiggins (Team Sky) among the men looking to stop Mark Cavendish from claiming back-to-back victories.
And the women’s road race is likely to be just as eagerly contested, with in-form Lizzie Armitstead looking to defend her title as national champion.
Armitstead, who is set to lead Team England on the road at the Commonwealth Games, as well as competing in the track endurance events, faces stiff competition however.
Former champions Sharon Laws (UnitedHealthCare) and Emma Pooley (Lotto Belisol Ladies/VC Norwich) will be on the start line and both feature, alongside Armitstead, on the Giro d’Italia Internazionale Femminile provisional start list – so will be keen to fly the British colours out there.
Rising stars such as Lucy Garner (Giant-Shimano), Hannah Barnes (UnitedHealthCare) and Wiggle-Honda’s track aces will all have podium spots in mind too.
But can anybody stop Queen Lizzie from making it three wins in four years, and sealing a sixth consecutive podium place in the process?
Read on for our in-depth look at the contenders.
