Chris Smart lived up to his billing as pre-race favourite with victory at the Loudoun RC Cronberry Classic Bruce Cockburn Memorial 17-mile time trial on Saturday morning in Ayrshire, while Lorna Todd finished as fastest female.

Finishing in 37-14, Smart led a dominant display from GTR – Return to Life p/b Streamline, with the team claiming all five top placings in the open category.

A time of 38-27 helped Marc Anderson to the runners-up spot while third place was taken by Rob Graham in 38-27, with Joe Hands (40-52) and Tony Scott (41-24) completing a fine day for the outfit.

This triumph also extends Smart’s winning run to seven races, having started with first place at the Bute Wheelers 10-mile two-up in September last year and including all four races this campaign beginning with the GTR - Return to Life Ice Breaker two-up in March before success at Fife Century RC 25 and Royal Albert CC 10.

“Yesterday was really good,” said Smart as he looked back on the event. “It’s one of the best courses in Scotland so we weren’t going to miss it. Conditions were sunny and a balmy eight degrees so it was about as good as it gets.”

In the women’s event Ayrodynamic Tri Club rider Todd’s time of 47-48 saw her to victory ahead of the 54-28 set by Glenmarnock Wheelers’ Emma Rogerson for second place.

A still day would probably have produced a course record on the hilly 16.5-mile course in Ayrshire given the GTR team form. However, a slight course change to allow for traffic lights on the traditional course meant it was slightly shorter than usual.

This event, run on the WW17/03 course, is a looped circuit that starts on a bridge over the River Ayr in Sorn, then heads southbound onto the B705, then turning eastbound, then northbound on the A70 to Marchouse Hill, veering westbound on the B73, finishing just east of Sorn.

* 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) 37.14

2. Marc Anderson (GTR – Return to Life p/b Streamline)     38.27

3. Rob Graham (GTR – Return to Life p/b Streamline)         39.05

4. Joe Hands (GTR – Return to Life p/b Streamline) 40.52

5. Tony Scott (GTR – Return to Life p/b Streamline)             41.24  

6. Ronnie Todd (Loudon Road Club) 44.24

7. Alex Patterson (Ayr Burners CC)   44.25

8. Thomas Walker (Fullarton Wheelers)         45.06

9. Alex McAllister (Ayr Roads CC)   45.30

10. Ian Hannah (Newton Stewart Triathlon Club)      46.27

Female

1. Lorna Todd (Ayrodynamic Tri Club)          47.48

2. Emma Rogerson (Glenmarnock Wheelers)            54.28