Manchester came alive on Saturday for the second day of the British Track Cycling Championships 2025, with a stunning performance from Anna Morris, who broke her own world record in the women’s individual pursuit. The evening also delivered plenty of drama, with thrilling battles in the women’s keirin and the men’s points race.
Women’s Individual Pursuit: Anna Morris in a League of Her Own
In front of a roaring crowd at the National Cycling Centre, Anna Morris produced a breathtaking ride, clocking 4:24.060 to improve on her own world record set just a week earlier at the European Championships. Facing 19-year-old Izzy Sharp (Lidl-TREK) in the final, Morris wasted no time in catching her opponent before the halfway mark. Rather than easing off, she powered through to complete a spectacular ride, showcasing her dominance.
“The energy from the crowd really pushed me on in those final four laps. I knew it would be tough after the Euros, but I gave it everything. I’m sure this record will fall again this year, but to do it here, in front of my team and my loved ones, makes it really special.”
The bronze medal went to 20-year-old Grace Lister (Hess Cycle Team), who edged out Sophie Lewis (DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK) in the third-place race, both showing promising signs for the future.
Men’s Points Race: Will Perrett Edges a Thriller
The men’s points race was a dramatic affair, with relentless attacks throughout the race. In the end, Will Perrett (DAS Richardsons) secured his third consecutive national title, but only just, winning by a single point over rising star Henry Hobbs (17, One Life Cycles). Ben Wiggins (19, Hagens Berman Jayco CT), son of 2012 Tour de France winner Sir Bradley Wiggins, rounded off the podium after an intense battle.
From the opening laps, the race was aggressive, with Ollie Wood (TEKKERZ), Matt Bostock, Frank Longstaff (One Life Cycle), and others launching early moves. Perrett, particularly active, took a lap and claimed 20 points before being reeled back in. Meanwhile, Charlie Tanfield managed to gain two laps and 40 points, but Perrett paced his effort perfectly to take victory with 58 points, just ahead of Hobbs on 57, a clear sign that the young rider has a bright future in national championships.
“Three titles in a row, it’s incredible! This year, it was so close, it all came down to the final sprint. Winning by a single point makes it extra special.”
Men’s Team Sprint: Team Inspired/GTRC Stages Dramatic Comeback
The men’s team sprint final was a thrilling contest between Team Inspired/GTRC and Team Inspired B. Trailing after the opening two laps, just as they had been in earlier rounds, the quartet of Lyall Craig, Harry Ledingham-Horn, Niall Monks, and Matthew Richardson produced a blistering final lap to take the win by six-tenths of a second, securing the national title and a second gold medal of the championships for Matthew Richardson.
Earlier in the day, Team Inspired A, featuring Hamish Turnbull, Harry Radford, Hayden Norris, and Alistair Fielding, had set the fastest qualifying time (44.054), but fell short in the medal rounds and had to settle for bronze against ESV Manchester.
Para-Cycling: Dominance from Unwin/Holl and Ball/Lloyd
Sophie Unwin and Jenny Holl (Loughborough Lightning) continued their double title success in the women’s B category, adding the kilometre tandem title to their earlier pursuit gold. Their time of 1:08.322 was well ahead of Amelia Robertson and Corrine Hall (Storey Racing), who took silver.
In the men’s B category, James Ball and Steffan Lloyd (Wales Racing Academy) powered to victory with a time of 1:01.732, while Mason Bradley and Jack Pearson set a new personal best to claim silver.
The C1-5 individual pursuit saw a dominant performance from Amelia Cass (Loughborough Lightning) in C1-3, clocking 4:13.793, an incredible ride that put her 30 seconds ahead of her closest rivals. Other national titles went to Morgan Newberry (C5), Matthew Robertson (C2), Fin Graham (C3), and Archie Atkinson (C4) in their respective classifications.
Women’s Keirin: Lauren Bell Takes the Crown
For the third consecutive year, Lauren Bell (Team Inspired) stormed to victory in the women’s keirin, delivering a masterclass in front-running. Up against a stacked field that included 2024 Olympic bronze medallist Emma Finucane, Bell executed a bold strategy to claim the national title. As soon as the derny pulled off the track, she launched a devastating attack, opening up a lead that no one could close.
“I glanced back, saw I had a gap, and just went all in. I knew I could hold it to the line.”
Behind her, Emma Finucane (Team Inspired) had to settle for silver, fending off a late charge from Rhian Edmunds, who took bronze.
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