Questa-Sponsored Cyclist Lizzie Hermolle Wins British Gravel National Championships
Blackpool Cyclist Lizzie Hermolle has won the British Gravel National Championships in North Yorkshire, securing her first national title in only her third-ever gravel race.
The event took place on a 113.6km course in Dalby Forest and featured over 2,200 metres of climbing. Lizzie, racing for DAS-Hutchinson, overtook Olympic triathlete Georgia Taylor-Brown on the final lap to take the win in the elite women’s category.
Riders faced 16 climbs and cool autumnal weather, which added to the difficulty of the course. Taylor-Brown had led solo for 90km and built a four-minute advantage before being reeled in by Hermolle on the final lap.
Watch Lizzie take the Lead
Speaking to Cycling Weekly, Lizzie said: “On the final climb, I was on my own and [Taylor-Brown] was in sight. I just put an effort in to pass her, make sure she couldn’t stay with me, and then it was pretty chill to the finish.
“My coach is Sean Yates, and he told me to buy a gravel bike last year. I did the UCI gravel race in Wales last week and came fourth, which was cool, but yesterday was only my third ever gravel race … It’s pretty cool that my first gravel win was National Champs.”
Lizzie’s victory is even more remarkable as it comes just months after recovering from three pelvic fractures and a sacrum fracture sustained in a crash in Belgium. It is also less than a year since Lizzie made her gravel racing debut in Spain.
Backed by Blackpool-based sponsors Questa Financial Planning, Lizzie returned to full training ahead of the Tour de Suisse earlier this summer and has since competed in two UCI gravel events.
Questa revealed its sponsorship of Lizzie in March to help cover racing and travel costs. Sargent Fitness provided tailored rehabilitation support during her recovery period, which enabled her to return to racing nine weeks after the injury.
Watch Lizzie Cross the Line
Anthony Hoskisson, owner of Lizzie’s sponsor Questa Financial Planning, said: “Watching Lizzie cross the line as national champion was incredible – especially knowing everything she’s come through this year.
“When we decided to support her, we believed in her potential, but to see her win a title in just her third gravel race is beyond what anyone could’ve expected. It just shows what’s possible when local talent gets the backing it deserves.”
Lizzie previously rode for Team Boompods and placed 13th in the British National Road Championships in 2024. Her win at Dalby Forest now adds a national gravel title to her resume, and her sponsors continue to encourage other local businesses to support her career as she targets further competition on the world stage.