Ann's best yet

ANN BOWDITCH surprised herself by producing the ride of her life to finish fifth in the national 25-mile time- trial championships in Kent. 'I was hoping that I might squeeze into the top 10 but was surprised with my placing.

'I drove the course three times beforehand in order that I could plan my strategy for the race, it was difficult not having ridden it before but it seems my tactics paid off,' she said.

The event was held on one of the toughest courses ever used for the event.

The first five miles were slightly undulating and the next seven rose over 100 metres to the turn, at which point the riders retraced the route passing through 10 roundabouts.

Bowditch started near the back of the field, with the supposed 10 quickest women immediately after her.

She quickly settled into a smooth rhythm eager not to waste a single pedal stroke.

It was clear from the 10-mile marker that Bowditch was on a flyer, closing in on those ahead, notably Team Luciano rider Sharon Padley, who beat her in last year's national.

Padley started two minutes in front of Bowditch but by the turn was clearly in her sights and was passed on the fast descent.

'When I saw I was closing in on Padley, I realised that either I was on a good ride or she was having a bad day and at that point I wasn't sure which was the case.'

With the last five miles in sight, the 2003 Total CI sports personality-of-the-year passed Jacqui Warinton, who had started three minutes earlier.

The course completed Bowditch had to wait for the final 10 riders, but as over six minutes passed before the next competitor crossed the line, she realised she had exceeded expectations and improved on her previous two seventh-place finishes in the event.

The event was won by professional and Olympic hopeful Vicky Pincombe, in a time of 57.22.

Bowditch finished in a time of 1-01.11, just two minutes off a place on the podium, but two minutes quicker than her 2003 performance.

Her next major challenge is the national 50-mile time-trial on 20 June.