Team Sky's Peter Kennaugh took a sprint win against teammate Ben Swift to become 2014 British road champion in Abergavenny, Wales.
Kennaugh, who attacked Swift repeatedly on the final two laps of a seven-kilometre circuit could not shake the well-known sprinter.
Swift stuck to the back wheel of Kennaugh on each attack seemingly consigning the Manxman to second place.
However, Kennaugh took the sprint win against the odds, after the race expressing his surprise at the end result.
"It's an amazing feeling," the 25-year-old said.
"On the last lap it was hard to race against such a good mate. He sat on for most of the last lap, and I thought it was game over. But I knew the last 200 metres was downhill and I thought I had a chance. I couldn't believe I won it!
"I've done so many training sprints with Swifty and he leaves me behind every time, but today was my day! I've been so close to this title for so many years, this has to be a really special result for me!"
Kennaugh credited his win to his experience at the 2009 nationals in Abergavenny - when he finished third.
"Without coming third here in 2009 I don’t I would have won it," Kennuagh said. "I have a lot of experience and I was willing to throw away second place to win."
Simon Yates finished third after he was worked over by a Team Sky quartet that originally made up the race-defining break of the day.
Welshman Geraint Thomas finished eighth, the two-time Olympic champion dropping a chain at the bottom of the climb at Celtic Manor.
Despite a brave solo chase, he was unable to close the gap on the lead group of eight, spending over 60km chasing on his own.
Rapha Condor JTL rider Ed Laverack won the under-23 men’s championship. The 19-year-old fought to finish 13th in the main race to win the title.
Zappi's Racing Team’s Daniel Pearson and Dante Carpenter were second and third respectively.
“I can’t really put it into words, I didn’t really expect it today,” Laverack said. “I was suffering on the last few laps but I just knew I had to hold on to get this jersey.”
Welshman Geraint Thomas finished eighth, the two-time Olympic champion dropping a chain at the bottom of the climb at Celtic Manor.
Despite a brave solo chase, he was unable to close the gap on the lead group of eight.
The lead group was established in the climb to Trellech 60km into the race with Team Sky having the strength in numbers.
Luke Rowe, Josh Edmundson, Peter Kennuagh and Ben Swift from the WorldTour outfit were joined by Simon and Adam Yates from OricaGreenEDGE, Madison Genesis’ Scott Davies and Team Raleigh’s Mark Christian.
Davies was the first to go, then Christian and eventaully Adam Yates. The Team Sky quartet delivered attack after attack on Simon Yates on the ten laps of the eight-kilometre finishing circuit before Kennaugh and Swift made their move.
Yates followed but was eventually dropped with Edmondson and Rowe further back. A cat and mouse battle then ensued with Kennaugh and Swift, the former timing his sprint perfectly and carrying enough strength for victory.
Result
1. Peter Kennaugh
2. Ben Swift
3. Simon Yates
