ALEX Dowsett stormed to time-trial success to smash a two-year British record.

The professional cyclist and time-trial specialist from Maldon set a new record in the ten-mile time trial today at the ECCA 10 in Cambridgeshire.

The Movistar rider clocked 17 minutes and 20 seconds, beating the previous record of 17 minutes and 45 seconds in 2012.

He averaged 34mph on the E2/10 out-and-back course on the A11 in Cambridge.

Dowsett is aiming to be part of this year's Tour de France squad when his Spanish-based team departs from Leeds on July 5, heading through on Essex two days later.