Manxwoman Lizzie Holden produced an exceptional ride to take the silver medal at Thursday evening’s cycling national time trial championships in Norfolk.

Holden was among the favourites in the build-up to the event because of her podium finish the previous year, when she secured the bronze medal.

The 21-year-old produced a very strong performance to make the podium, only eight seconds behind eventual winner Anna Henderson (Brother UK- Tifosi p/b OnForm) and 18 seconds ahead of junior star Pfeiffer Georgi (Team Sunweb).

The men’s event took place earlier in the day over a lengthened 25.4 mile course through the same expansive Norfolk countryside as the women.

Mark Christian was the lone Manx representative and looked to be well on the way to an impressive result when disaster struck and his handlebars snapped beneath him with only five kilometers remaining.

Christian, who rides professionally for UCI Continental team Wiggins Le Col, continued but his mechanical failure resulted in him crashing with one kilometre to go.

Despite this, the Manxman still achieved an admirable 10th position.

More in Tuesday’s Isle of Man Examiner.

The HSBC UK British National Road Race Championships take place on Sunday, with Mark Cavendish, Mark Christian, Matt Bostock and Tom and Leon Mazzone competing.

Island resident Ben Swift (Team Ineos) will also take part.

Later in the day, Anna Christian, Lizzie Holden and Becky Storrie will race the equivalent women’s event.