British national champions recall how they won their stripes, the pride in wearing them for the season and the effect it had on the rest of their careers. Podium fines, finish line crashes, curious combines, white shorts and unlikely alliances – these are the stories behind the jerseys.
Kristian House (2009)
The Tour of Japan stage win was my proudest moment in this jersey, more for the way we set up that day. We were basically sleeping on these bamboo mats on the floor. Everyone was down because it had gone wrong the day before, and John [Herety] came in and we came up with a plan: two of us in the break. And it was one of the rare times it actually worked. Lappers [Darren Lapthorne] rode such a team role, he could have ridden across to me, but didn’t want to drag anyone else with him.
The Tour of Britain I did that year in the jersey, it was insane. My profile was elevated through the roof. Connor [Swift] must be absolutely buzzing. Putting on that white kit is amazing.
Matt Stephens, Ned Boulting, Lisa Brambani and Mandy Jones
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