"I wasn't really expecting it” - Millie Couzens crowned British national champion for the first time
Cycling
Last weekend, Millie Couzens claimed the British national
road race title, securing the prestigious jersey for the first time in her
career. Her win capped off a remarkable week in which she also won the under-23
women’s time trial.
"I wasn't really expecting it," she explained to Cycling
Weekly yesterday. "I was already happy with that. And then obviously, the
road race was my main goal for the week. But I knew even if that didn't go to
plan, it was nice. I had got something out of the week already."
Heading into the road race, Couzens sensed she was in strong
form but still needed reassurance. "I thought my form was quite good, but
it was a confidence boost to know that my legs were there."
As the race unfolded, she pinned her hopes on a sprint
finish. "I wouldn’t say I was fully confident, but I thought a sprint was
probably my best chance," Couzens explained. "I’ve had a few results
from sprints this year, so I know I can do well if I start in the right
position and launch at the right time, then it probably is my best shot. I just
had to fully commit and hope."
The closing stages saw a tense tactical battle, with Couzens
finding herself slightly outnumbered. "At one point, I think there was
just me and Anna, and then three Picnic riders. It played out well for me in
the end, but you never really know what they're going to do. It makes it a bit
more difficult when you're a bit isolated in that kind of situation."
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In the aftermath of her victory, the reality of wearing the
national champion’s jersey is still sinking in. "I think next week I'm out
racing, and once I actually have the jersey on, maybe then it will feel real.
But at the moment, no, it still doesn't really feel that real."
Looking ahead, Couzens is aware that her newfound status
will bring more attention. "Before no one really knew who I was, but now
I’m going to stand out, so that’ll be different."
As for the type of racing she relishes most, Couzens is
still refining her strengths. "I prefer a hard race with some punchy
climbs and then probably a reduced group sprint. I'm still learning and just
trying out different kinds of races and different situations and seeing what
works well for me and what doesn't."
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
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