HANNAH Barnes edged sister Alice to become British women's road race champion in Stockton.

Barnes - who only returned from a six-month injury absence in April - took the sprint ahead of her sibling, whose second place was enough to retain her under-23 title.

Lucy Garner took bronze as a 13-strong group contested the finish after staying clear of the peloton.

Dame Sarah Storey led a solo breakaway and, after being caught and initially dropped by 12 riders, managed to claw her way into the leading group for the finish.

Reigning champion Lizzie Armitstead pulled out on the morning of the race, reportedly due to an illness.

She wrote on Twitter: "Congratulations @bannahharnes a very worthy National Champion. Very disappointed not to race myself but I will be back next year."