Royal Albert Cycling Club 10

Chris Smart claimed a sixth successive victory by winning the Royal Albert Cycling Club Scottish Veteran Time Trial Association 10-mile title on Sunday morning, with Kate Richardson finishing top of the standings in the female category in her first ride since returning from a broken collarbone.

Riding for GTR – Return to Life p/b Streamline, Smart clocked 18-53 to see off clubmate Douglas Watson by five seconds, setting 18-58 for second, while the final spot on the podium went to Basil Monks of Edinburgh Road Club.

Smart’s win capped a strong performance for GTR – Return to Life p/b Streamline, with five riders finishing inside the top ten.

This victory means that Smart is now unbeaten in six rides, since finishing fifth at Bute Wheelers Serpentine hill climb on September 16, with this run including success at Bute Wheelers 20-mile two-up team time trial on September 16 last year, then winning Bute Wheelers 10-mile time trial on September 17, followed by Vanelli Project Go 28-mile time trial on October 10 2023  and wins this season at GTR - Return to Life p/b Streamline Ice Breaker 10-mile two-up team time trial in March and then Fife Century RC 25-mile time trial on April 14.

“Dougie and I were time keeping the GTR 10 on Saturday and we were super gutted we missed a fast day,” said Smart. “Fortunately, eight degrees and rain is still fast when you’re GTR.

“It was my first ever 18 in Scotland so I was super happy with that.

“The boys did great too as a team and I’m sure it’s a CTT Scotland team record with Rob too, if there is such a thing.”

In the women’s event Kate Richardson (Alba Development Team) managed 22-11 for victory, ahead of Lorna Breezke in second for Elgin CC in 23-03, while a time of 23-27 helped Ecosse Performance Cycling Club’s Patricia Baird to third place.

On her win, she said: “The CTTs are an ideal way to prep for some key time trials later on in the season and I am always so impressed by how fantastically they are organised and how kind and welcoming all of the volunteers are.

“Today was my first time pinning a number on again after breaking my collarbone and scapula back in March, so it was really nice to have a local race to set a benchmark for the season ahead.

“Time trials are limited on the UCI calendar, so it’s great to have the opportunity to race them and they are events I always like to make time for in my season.

“The cakes are an added bonus to round off a great morning.”

* All reports are copyright of Cycling Time Trials/Snowdon Sports. Not to be used without permission. This report by James Ayles.

 

Results:

Open:

1. Chris Smart (GTR – Return to Life p/b Streamline)           18.53

2. Douglas Watson (GTR – Return to Life p/b Streamline)    18.58

3. Basil Monks (Edinburgh Road Club)         19.57

3. Rob Graham (GTR – Return to Life p/b Streamline)         19.57

5. Marc Anderson (GTR – Return to Life p/b Streamline)     20.12

6. Daniel Long (Elgin Cycle Club)     20.36

7. Vincent Pickering (St Christopher’s CC)   20.48

8. Stewart Burke (Team Andrew Allan Architecture) 20.50

8. Sandy Walker (Edinburgh Road Club)       20.50

10. Joe Hands (GTR - Return to Life p/b Streamline)            20.52

Female:

1. Kate Richardson (Alba Development Team)          22:11

2. Lorna Breetzke (Elgin Cycle Club)            23.03

3. Patricia Baird (Ecosse Performance Cycling Club)           23.27

4. Valerie Martin (Dooleys Race Team)         25.47

5. Kayla Dinnin (Solas Race Team)   25.52

6. Esther Hamill (Dumfries CC)         25.53

7. Miriam Rennet (Kinross CC)         26.25

8. Liz Ball (Valley Striders CC)         26.27

9. Emma Rogerson (Glenmarnock Wheelers)            27.29

10. Elizabeth Wisdish (RT 23)27.38