Chris Smart (GTR - Return to Life p/b Streamline) used his course knowledge to win the Tyne & Wear Fire Service CC 12-mile event by 19 seconds, while Sarah Wilkinson (Blaydon CC) won the women’s event.

Both men’s and women’s events were battles between team-mates with Smart beating fellow GTR - Return to Life rider Sandy Taylor into second while Wilkinson fought off another Blaydon CC rider in Louise Burnie.

The undulating M12S saw riders start and finish near Stamfordham heading out on the B6309 through Heugh towards the Bygate Hill Plantation in the opening four miles.

Riders then continued on a rural looped course taking in Ingoe and Matfen before heading through Fenwick to the finish.

The course had been resurfaced in parts making for some smooth riding so there was a small expectation that the course record might go.

However, the gusty conditions coupled with heavy farm machinery dotted about the course dented the hopes of many.

It was a good day for GTR – Return to Life p/b Streamline riders who made the journey down to Northumberland from Scotland.

Veteran rider Smart took his first victory of the season, completing the course in 26 minutes and one second. However, he was 55 seconds down on Finlay Robertson’s course record set last year.

Smart, aged 41, finished second in the Merlin Cycles Classic Series earlier this month but clinched victory by 10 seconds on this occasion.

Fellow veteran Taylor had beaten his team-mate in Classic Series at Dumfries but the result was reversed on this occasion finishing in 26-11.

After a close fight for the podium positions Lewis Wake (Team Kirkley Cycles) finished a further five seconds back in third (26-16).

“GTR are the saviours of Scotland and now Northumberland putting five guys into the top 12,” said Smart. “We came down en masse on our new Streamline wheels to support team-mate Terry who was organising this great race on such an iconic course.

“I managed to topple my team-mate Sandy who has been killing me lately, on local knowledge alone. Putting five guys in the top 12 cements our place as Northumberland’s best adoptive team.”

Philip Kennell (GS Metro) was fastest veteran on standard (+5.30) with a ride time of 27-19 for eighth place overall.

Harris Hall (Velo Culture) was the quickest juvenile with his time of 27-34 good enough for 11th place overall.

In the women’s competition, veteran rider Wilkinson set a winning time of 31-13 for her effort, 4-21 up on her standard time.

Wilkinson has had a good start to 2022 and also won the GS Metro 26 on her last outing.

Fellow Blaydon CC rider Burnie finished second on her first individual outing of the season 38 seconds back in 31-51. Lisa Baker (Muckle Cycle Club) provided a battle for the podium positions settling for third place in 32-10.

Wilkinson said: “I was really pleased with the win today as there were some strong women competing, especially my team-mate Louise who was doing her first solo time trial this season, putting in a brilliant performance to come second.

“It was tough into the wind for the first half so I missed out by 20 seconds on my personal best.

“Also I was glad to just edge the veterans on standard. I’m doing the M47 Mountain Time Trial next week so hoping there is no wind for that one!”

* All reports are copyright of Cycling Time Trials/Snowdon Sports. Not to be used without permission.

Results:

Men:
1          Chris Smart     GTR - Return to Life P/B Streamline 26:01
2          Sandy Taylor   GTR - Return to Life P/B Streamline 26:11
3          Lewis Wake    Team Kirkley Cycles  26:16
4          Jay Pitt Velo Culture   26:52
5          Marc Anderson           GTR - Return to Life P/B Streamline 26:54
6          Phil Hall          Velo Culture   27:06
7          Adam Smith    Team Kirkley Cycles  27:07
8          Philip Kennell GS Metro        27:19
9          Stewart Burke GTR - Return to Life P/B Streamline 27:30
10        John Routledge           Barnesbury CC           27:31

Juvenile: Harris Hall (Velo Culture) 0:27.34

Women:
1 Sarah Wilkinson       Blaydon CC    31:13
2 Louise Burnie          Blaydon CC    31:51
3 Lisa Baker    Muckle Cycle Club     32:10
4 Lois Jarvis    North Tyneside Riders CC     33:33
5 Natalie Mortimer      Tyne & Wear Fire & Rescue Service CC      34:41
6 Caroline Cunningham          North Tyneside Riders CC     34:45