Joanna Rowsell was crowned the women’s 2013 British Cycling National Time Trial Champion in Stewarton yesterday – taking a decisive victory over Lizzie Armitstead.

Thirty five riders contested the women’s time trial title event. Last year’s winner, Wendy Houvenaghel who took back to back titles in 2011 and 2012 was absent, leaving the door wide open for a new champion.

Rowsell, who is concentrating on the road this season having won Olympic team pursuit gold with Laura Trott and Dani King in 2012, clocked 49 minutes and 25 seconds over the 35.2km course.

“I set this as a target quite early in the season just because it was something I knew I could come and do,” said Rowsell. “Initially I was quite worried about the distance being 22 miles, but now I think they suit me actually.”

Armitstead passed Trott, who started a minute ahead of her, en-route to second but eventually stopped the clock 32 seconds short of Rowsell’s time, while Katie Colclough (Specialized-Lululemon) completed the podium.

Armitstead will start Sunday’s road race as favourite and believes she is in the right form to win a second national title after previously pulling the jersey on in 2011.

“The feelings were good,” she said after the time trial. “I couldn’t have gone any harder, but I wasn’t pulling a lung out to do it either so the sensations are getting better which is what I wanted.”

Over the moon to be National Time Trial Champion 😀 Fantastic support and a great tough course! Thank you for all the messages x

— Joanna Rowsell (@JoannaRowsell) June 20, 2013

This Sunday, the British Cycling National Road Race Championships take place in Glasgow. Although Lizzie Armitstead came second to Joanna Rowsell in the Time Trial yesterday, she’s favourite to claim victory at the road race.