OTLEY'S cycling world champion Lizzie Armitstead was forced to withdraw from the British women's road race in Stockton due to illness.
In Armitstead's absence, Hannah Barnes edged out sister Alice to take the national crown.
Hannah Barnes – who only returned from a six-month injury absence in April – took the sprint ahead of her sibling, whose second place was enough to retain her under-23 title.
Lucy Garner took bronze as a 13-strong group contested the finish after staying clear of the peloton.
Dame Sarah Storey led a solo breakaway and, after being caught and initially dropped by 12 riders, managed to claw her way into the leading group for the finish.
Armitstead wrote on Twitter: "Congratulations @bannahharnes a very worthy National Champion. Very disappointed not to race myself but I will be back next year."
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