GREAT Witley cyclist Janet Birkmyre swapped track racing for the road and secured a silver medal in the CTTC National Team Time Trial Championships.

Riding with team-mates Madeline Moore and Melanie Sneddon, the TORQ Fitness trio clocked one hour 26 minutes to finish second to Chester Road Club.

The same group secured the world masters team pursuit title over two kilometres in a new record time last October.

This was the first time Birkmyre and her team-mates had ridden together on the road and the 33 miles of a hilly course in Devon was much further than they train for in velodrome cycling.

However the team pursuit specialists communicated well and made the most of their track skills, passing three of the other groups during the race on their way to a stunning silver.

Birkmyre is now preparing for the National Masters Track Championships in Newport Velodrome from July 1 until 3 and will be defending four titles.

Previously, she took another emphatic victory at the second round of the National Omnium Series at Newport.

The rider for the TORQ Fitness team, who use kit supplied by Worcester sportswear specialist Scimitar Sports, was again the most consistent in a strong field.

Now part of the Olympic programme, the omnium is made up of five different events.

The 500-metre time trial, scratch race, keirin, pursuit and points race are all raced over the course of the day.

To win overall requires consistency across both sprint and endurance disciplines in bunch racing and time trial formats.

It suits Birkmyre’s skills as she continues to dominate the series despite racing against women half her age.

In the Newport round, she was second in the 500m time trial and scratch race.

Birkmyre then won the keirin and placed second in pursuit for a comfortable 10-point lead going into the points race.

The three-time national champion showed great tactical awareness in keeping close to her nearest rivals and scoring more points to win the omnium overall.

Birkmyre said: “It is always great to win and at this level it is not something I take for granted.

“I have been racing this series for more than 10 years now and have seen it grow in popularity every year, so I have to work harder just to stand still, but I am so pleased to still be a part of it.”