JESS Roberts comes into tonight's HSBC UK National Circuit Championships in Stockton after a fabulous British Road Championships.

The Team Breeze rider took top honours in Northumberland and also came away with the U23-title.

I spoke to her ahead of tonight's action, which is part of this year's Stockton Cycling Festival:

Have you come down from your high yet after winning the road race title?

Jess: "I was pretty pleased, I guess it's sinking in a little bit now. I wanted to get on the U23 podium. I didn't expect anything in the senior race at all, so it was a big surprise really.

"To win the whole race was completely overwhelming. I thought I would give it a go attacking and it paid off. I was really pleased with that and can't believe I will be wearing those stripes for the next year.

"It's given me something of a confidence boost and it's nice to represent the stripes, it's quite a privilege.

"I felt quite good coming into it, but I never expected anything in the senior race. I was more focused on the U23 because this is my first year as a senior."

Where are the Circuit Championships in terms of your season as a whole?

Jess: "I guess they are pretty high up. We are getting back on the track now and starting to focus on Euros, so this is our last road hit out. I think we have a good, strong group of girls so I think we can go there and race well."

What preparation have you done?

Jess: "I did a track race last weekend in Dublin and then it's just been a case of normal training."

How do you approach circuit racing, are they different in terms of preparation?

Jess: "They are a lot more intense. It's quite full on for say 45 minutes. It's more about intervals and things and it kind of compliments the track because it's like a points race."

What are your expectations?

Jess:"I'd like to see if I can get on the podium. But we have quite a lot of options in our team so we will probably bounce off each other and see how it goes."

  • Racing begins at 6pm tonight with the women’s race - the men’s race will follow at 7.45pm.
  • The women’s race will be 50 minutes, plus five laps whereas the men’s race will be one hour, plus five laps.
  • Starting on Stockton High Street, the riders will initially head north before turning right on to Church Street and another right-hander to head south past Stockton Parish Church.

Heading back towards the high street, the circuit takes another two right turns before a narrow chicane that feeds into a left-hand hairpin on to a long straight, bound to string out the peloton, riders will be fighting for position into here.

After heading south, the riders will have a second hairpin as they take the right-turn back north along High Street for a fast sprint to the finish line.

  • How to follow

Watch live coverage of both races with all the action from Stockton streamed on the British Cycling website and Facebook page.