The British Cycling Road Championships kicked off this week at Croft Motor Circuit, on the outskirts of Darlington. 

A blisteringly quick time trial from 19-year-old Welshman Josh Tarling (riding for the Ineos Grenadiers) secured him the elite men's national champion title, despite it being his first year in the elite ranks.

Darlington and Stockton Times: The British Road Championships kicked off at the Croft Motor Circuit this week.

Riding a rapid 48:50.43 over 41.1 km, Josh set the pace out of his competitors' reach. 

For the elite women, 25-year-old Lizzie Holden, who hails from the Isle of Man and rides for UAE Team ADQ, took the coveted jersey by covering the distance in a speedy 37:02.14.

Darlington and Stockton Times: The British Road Championships kicked off at the Croft Motor Circuit this week.

Both Josh and Lizzie saw off stiff competition from the field to claim the red, white and blue jerseys. 

Darlington and Stockton Times: The British Road Championships kicked off at the Croft Motor Circuit this week.

For the men, Bahrain Victorious rider Fred Wright, who marked himself as an up-and-coming star of British cycling at the Tour De France last year, took the second spot on the podium with a time of 49:53.24. 

Josh's teammate from the Ineos Grenadiers, Connor Swift, claimed third place in 50:00.56.

Darlington and Stockton Times: The British Road Championships kicked off at the Croft Motor Circuit this week.

For the elite women category, Anna Morris, of WardPerformanceUK.com, claimed second place in 37:16.21. Elinor Barker, who cycles for Uno-X Pro Cycling Team, finished in third on 37:18.78 after a brilliant ride.

In the Under 23 men's category, 20-year-old local cyclist Josh Charlton, who lives in Sherburn Village, claimed the men's title with a speedy 33:45.36 over the 27.4km route.

Darlington and Stockton Times: The British Road Championships kicked off at the Croft Motor Circuit this week.

In the Under 23 women's, Maddie Leech was crowned the under-23 women’s national champion after clocking a quick time of 38:17.64.

Darlington and Stockton Times: The British Road Championships kicked off at the Croft Motor Circuit this week.

The time trial championships - held at the Croft Circuit a short distance out of Darlington - were just the first of three days of national championship cycling in the North East, with the very best of British cycling on the streets of Redcar and Cleveland this weekend. 

On Friday evening, the crit races will set off in Redcar. The women's race begins at 18.30, with the men's following at 20.00 pm. 

Darlington and Stockton Times: The British Road Championships kicked off at the Croft Motor Circuit this week.

The bike races will be held on a tight and technical 1km circuit around Redcar, starting on the Esplanade and heading down the High Street. Both the men's and women's races will last for 55 minutes.

On Sunday, June 25, Saltburn will be the site of a battle of British cycling superstars. The road races will challenge riders with steep gradients and tight hairpin bends.

Darlington and Stockton Times: The British Road Championships kicked off at the Croft Motor Circuit this week.

Both men and women will follow an 18.8km loop. Women will complete seven laps, covering 132km, while men will take on 10 laps, totalling 189km.Darlington and Stockton Times: The British Road Championships kicked off at the Croft Motor Circuit this week.

The route will pass through East Cleveland villages, Skelton Castle, old mining sites in Kilton, and the coast of Saltburn before finishing at Saltburn Bank.

The women's race starts at 9 am, followed by the men's race at 1.30 pm. The start and finish line is located near Saltburn Bank.

Darlington and Stockton Times: The British Road Championships kicked off at the Croft Motor Circuit this week.

Flag-to-flag coverage of the circuit and road races will be streamed live on the British Cycling YouTube channel, GCN and discovery+.

Darlington and Stockton Times: The British Road Championships kicked off at the Croft Motor Circuit this week.