THE fizz in his champagne had barely had time to die down before time trial champion Alex Dowsett began heaping praise on the organisers of the street circuit on which he achieved his triumph.

Dowsett secured a record fifth British Cycling Time Trial Championship title in Stockton on Thursday evening.

It came after a fierce battle on the cobbles and tarmac around the Teesside town that featured the nation's best men and women cyclists.

Unprompted, The Movistar rider, the star name in the field, said: “What a great event. The whole town centre aspect of the time trial was something quite incredible.

“The atmosphere as you came into the town was really great, even out of the town there was a lot of people watching. The course was super spectator-friendly and so Stockton should be really proud of what they have put on today.”

Reacting to the comments, Councillor Norma Wilburn, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Arts, Leisure and Culture, said: “Yesterday was a fantastic example of how these national cycling championships are a great chance for us to showcase Stockton Borough on a national stage.

“Alex made history by recording a fifth time trial title right here in Stockton and it was very pleasing to hear his comments about how he much enjoyed racing in Stockton and how he acknowledged all of the hard work that has been done by so many people to bring such a prestigious sporting event to the area.

“When we bid to host these national championships, we promised British Cycling that we would deliver a great atmosphere and that’s what the people of Stockton and visitors from further afield delivered as they lined the streets and cheered all the riders."

Cllr Wilburn admitted there had been a few small issues and she addressed criticism from some who questioned the impact of street closures on businesses and residents.  

“There were a few late tweaks in terms of barrier requirements and event infrastructure, which is inevitable in an event of this complexity, but everything was ready to go by the time the first riders set off from the time trial start ramp," she said.

“Although there were some inevitable delays and inconvenience on the roads, particularly around Ingleby Barwick, the diversion routes worked well and traffic flow on the major routes was maintained.

"We’re thankful for residents’ understanding that the road closures were absolutely necessary for an event of this scale to be safe.

“Thursday was a normal working day and not a school holiday, but the crowds were of a good number and well dispersed around the town centre circuit, generating plenty of noise as they watched champions of the sport roaring back on to the High Street for a thrilling finish.”