Joanna Rowsell admits that while the 2014 British Cycling National Road Championships time-trial course is very different to the one she stormed to victory on last year, it could play into her hands as she bids to defend her crown.
Rowsell is perhaps better known for her track cycling exploits, with five world titles to her name, not to mention helping Team GB claim team pursuit gold at London 2012.
But last year the 25-year-old demonstrated her prowess on the road as she comfortably claimed the national time-trial title in Glasgow.
This year’s time-trial takes place in Monmouthshire, Wales, with the course much shorter but hillier than last year in Scotland.
But despite these changes Rowsell, who rides for a Wiggle Honda outfit that also includes fellow Olympic champions Laura Trott and Dani King, is not worried at all as she looks to hold on to her title.
"I'm very excited to be defending my title at the nationals,” said Rowsell, who won world titles in the individual pursuit and team pursuit earlier this year in Colombia.
“I've been to see the course and it's quite challenging – it's quite different to the Glasgow course.
"Glasgow was about 23 miles – this only about 12.5 miles so it's a lot shorter but there's some much bigger climbs in it.
“The climb to the finish is on a par with the climb in Fleche Wallone being about a kilometre long averaging about ten per cent and peaking at about 25 per cent.
“So very different to the usual time-trials that I'm used to. But I'm really looking forward to the challenge of something a bit different.
"I think that suits me as a track rider. We're used to doing big capacity efforts for three to four minutes long so hopefully that will play into my hands. We'll see."
© Sportsbeat 2014