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Lee Williams (FTP Racing team) and Naomi de Pennington (Drag2Zero) clinched the RTTC National 24-hour Championships for the first time following a gruelling test, organised by Manchester DC on 26-27 July 2025.
After finishing runner-up in the event on two previous occasions Williams finished 19 miles clear of his nearest opponent. Williams finished runner-up last year and in 2021, but was able to go one better on this occasion after posting a winning distance of 536.37 miles.
Alexander Royle came into the event in top form having won nine open events this season. The Manchester Bicycle Club rider led the battle behind finishing runner up with 517.86 miles, while Paul Watts (George Fox Cycling Solutions) finished third with 502.89 miles.
“Everything went to plan,” said Williams. “I had Jon Shubert, who has won this before, helping me which made a massive difference. Last year I was really happy with my ride, so I paced it similarly. I wasn’t sure what to expect after I had to pull out of the World 24-Hour in November after 18 hours with a big cyst. I had two months off the bike which sorted itself out so I didn’t need any operations. My coach at FTP Coaching put together a plan with the 24-hour being my goal. I did various races coming into it, but they weren’t a priority and were on tired legs. The wind was quite favourable with a decent tailwind to Prees and to Battlefield. The wind then started dying off so we didn’t have it coming back as strong. I usually do quite a lot of long time trials in the year, I wouldn’t be surprised to be on the start sheet next year.”
Dan Swain (South Peaks CC) 383.83
After winning the National 12-hour event earlier this season veteran rider de Pennington produced a commanding performance in the women’s event to add the 24-hour title to her collection. De Pennington recorded a winning distance of 414.29 miles, beating Mandy Lane (Port Talbot Wheelers Cycling Club) into second (353.13 miles) and road bike competitor Emma Dixon (Verulam Cycling Club) finished third (325.03 miles).
Emma Dixon (Verulam CC) 325.03
Female tandem pairing Hannah Fawcett (Liverpool Braveheart Bicycle Club) and Ede Harrison (Liverpool Braveheart Bicycle Club) posted a new provisional competition record of 404.34 miles.
Tricycle rider Stuart Day (Crewe Clarion Wheelers) covered 417.25 miles to also finish 11th place overall.
Audax UK won the Team team prize with Andrew Walsh (Audax UK), Shaun Claridge (Audax UK) and Ben Cox (Audax UK) racing a combined 1,173.27 miles.
Amongst the veteran age group winners were Chris Hopkinson (API/Anglia Sport) who was riding his 51st and final 24-hour event. Also 87-year-old Brian Hygate (Fareham Wheelers CC) covered 258.61 miles to win his age category.
The D24HR course saw competitors start outside Chester before travelling across the Shropshire border, with the course taking riders through Shropshire towards Shrewsbury. After their final laps competitors headed back over the Shropshire border to finish outside Wrexham.
Event photographs can be found at: https://photos.app.goo.gl/2T78NhaBAYdyBGNQ9
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