Adam Smith defied pre-race Spindata predictions to earn his first win of the season in the men’s event at the Houghton Cycling Club 25-mile time trial in Ponteland on Sunday morning, with Adele McAleer the quickest woman over the distance.

In the time trial bike category, Team Kirkley Cycles rider Smith clocked a dominant 54-12 to finish more than five minutes ahead of nearest rival Adam Harrison (Barnesbury CC) who finished in 59-14, while the final spot on the podium went to Blaydon CC’s Hedley Fletcher in 1:00-24.

This ends Smith’s run of three consecutive runners-up finishes – at North Tyneside Riders CC 10-mile time trial on April 9, Vector Racing 25-mile time trial on April 23 and the 50-mile North Tyneside Riders time trial on June 16 – and ensures a first win since the 12-mile Gosforth Road Club time trial in June 2022.

Of those on road bikes, Muckle Cycle Club rider Hugo Storey led the field in 57-53, enough for second place overall, while Joshua Hodgson of GS Metro went through in 59-40 and Gosforth RC’s Simon Crisp managed 1:00-37 for third place.

Velo Culture’s McAleer was fastest woman in 1:09-06 on a time trial bike, while Caroline Cunningham managed 1:12-16 on a road bike with Celia Michie (Alnwick Cycling Club) second in the road bike category in 1:13-03.

Riders enjoyed a dry morning with a tail wind going out and a headwind on the way back, making the task more challenging when the return section is normally quite fast.

This 25-mile event, run on the M254 course, starts just north of Ponteland and heads northwest through Belsay until turning at Kirkwhelpington on the A696 to return southbound via Belsay and finish by Cold Coats Moor Farm just north of the start line.

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

Results:

Men:

1. Adam Smith (Team Kirkley Cycles)           54.12

2. Adam Harrison (Barnesbury CC)   59.14

3. Hedley Fletcher (Blaydon CC)       1:00.24

4. Stephen Boxall (Houghton CC)     1:00.46

5. Mark Herbert (Derwentside CC)    1:00.49

6. Scott McCance (Derwentside CC) 1:01.38

Women: Adele McAleer (Velo Culture)         1:09.06

Road bikes:

1. Hugo Storey (Muckle Cycle Club) 57.53

2. Joshua Hodgson (GS Metro)           59.40

3. Simon Crisp (Gosforth RC)            1:00.37

4. Adam Lunn (Velo Culture) 1:01.43

5. Ian Gallon (North Tyneside Riders CC)     1:04.49

6. Michael Charlton (Barnesbury CC)           1:04.49

Women:

1. Caroline Cunningham (North Tyneside Riders CC)          1:12.16

2. Celia Michie (Alnwick CC)           1:13.03

3. Heather Witham (Blaydon CC)      1:18.29