Staying home champion is ambition for House

By David Jordan, Sportsbeat

KRISTIAN House is determined to prove last year's victory was no flash in the plan at this weekend's National Road Race Cycling Championships.

PERFECT FINISH: Kristian House wins last year's British road race title in Abergavenny (British Cycling)

A host of Britain's top talent will be looking to use the race as the final tune-up to their preparations for next week's Tour de France Grand Depart in Rotterdam.

David Millar and Mark Cavendish will both compete and while Bradley Wiggins is not expected to line-up, despite being entered, his Team Sky colleagues - including Geraint Thomas, Peter Kennaugh and Ben Swift - will pose a powerful threat.

However, Rapha-Condor-Sharp's House is not daunted by the prospect of facing the European-based professionals.

And he likes the fit of the national champion's jersey he has worn with pride for the last 12 months.

"Being the national champion and wearing the jersey has been brilliant," he said.

"Racing the Tour of Britain last year as the national champion was the most amazing thing ever and something I will never forget.

"I also raced the Tour of Japan and it was unbelievable. One day, six people came up to me to have a photo taken and they all had the national champion jersey on.

"They had obviously been on the internet and bought the jersey and then come and found me to have their photo taken - it was just great.

"It is those experiences that means I won't give it up easily."

In Abergavenny last year, House held off the challenge of Dan Lloyd and Kennaugh to secure podium top spot in a sprint finish.

However, he concedes the quality of this year's field means it will be hard to become the first man to win back-to-back titles since Roger Hammond in 2004.

While the small circuit course, that climbs up the side of a spiteful Pendle Hill each lap, and has been compared to last year's World Championship course in Mendrisio, adds in another level of difficulty.

"It's a hard course this year and a very demanding one and there is going to be a really strong group there as well," added House.

"I am not saying last year's wasn't tough but I think this year's will be raced differently but having said that I won't be preparing any differently.

"They are not big hills but with you doing 15 laps, by the time you get to the penultimate lap you have done the climb 13 times already and that makes it demanding.

"However, I'm ready for it."

House might be looking to defend his title but Jonnny Bellis is just happy to be back on his bike this weekend.

Bellis returns to elite competition nine months after a horror scooter crash in Italy left him with a shattered skill and fighting for his life in a coma.