AYRSHIRE is fast becoming a Mecca for cyclists from all over the UK, whether it is for touring, riding in the hill country of the Ayrshire Alps or in road and triathlon competitions.

Last weekend saw the British National 10-Mile Time Trial Championships take place in Scotland for the first time.

Ayr Roads/Harry Fairbairn Cycling Club and Fullarton Wheelers of Irvine were awarded promotion of this prestigious event when their joint bid was approved earlier in the year by the Scottish District of the CTT (Cycling Time Trials). Held over two days, the Women and Junior title events took place on Saturday and the Men’s event on Sunday. Saturday had a field of 120 riders with the juveniles and juniors opening the action. The girls were first to face the timekeepers. Conditions were damp with a slight drizzle throughout the event. Front-runners for the girls title were Elynor Backstedt (Team Backstedt Hotchillee) and Pfeiffer Georgi (Liv CC Halo Cycles). Despite their youth both were already experienced road racers. That forecast proved spot on with Elynor taking the Under 18 title in a time of 21 minutes 11 seconds and Pfeiffer taking the silver with 21:22.

The Backstedt family featured again in bronze position with Elynor’s sister Zoe taking bronze in 21:43, as well as the Under-16 category. An amazing time for the 13-year-old.

The junior men's category was a similar story with Joshua Sandman of the Backstedt Team and runner-up last year taking Gold in a staggering time of 19.26 (30.87 mph) and a new course record. The silver and bronze medals went to Adam Jarps (19:42) and Tom Temple (19:48).

In the Women’s Senior race, Hayley Simmonds, race favourite and multi time trial champion and Commonwealth Gold Medallist did not start. Hayley had been involved in a road accident a week ago. Challengers for the title fell to Anna Tuvey of Tayside Vagabonds and Alice Lethbridge of Drag2Zero. With Symmonds out of the running, the outcome was as predicted with the gold going to Anna Tuvey in 20:26, with Lethbridge taking silver in 21:09.

Fastest Scottish rider was Lynsey Curran of Dooleys RT in 22:41.

Natalie Hunter of Fullarton Wheelers was the fastest Ayrshire rider in 24:18, just beating Lorna Todd of the Ayrodynamic Tri Club by one second.

Ayr Roads new recruit, Jennifer George, riding for her main club (Torreli Brothers) put up a strong performance, finishing 11th in a time of 22:24.

Conditions on Sunday for the men's event were dry and warm with some humidity, but competitors faced a strong wind to the turn in the open Eglinton Course. The contest between England's best and Scotland's own John Archibald had the huge crowd of supporters in tenterhooks until the very end.

First over the line with another record breaking ride was Matt Longworthy who reduced the record to 19:13. John Archibald arrived 14 minutes later with a staggering time of 18 minutes 18 seconds and the Ribble Pro Cycling recruit and brother of Katie, World Champion became the new British National 10-mile Time Trial Champion in 18 minutes 18 seconds (32.7 mph) and a new Scottish Record. In second place was Marcin Bialoblocki in 18:21 and Simon Wilson in 18:50.

Ayr Roads fielded four riders in the event. Alex McAllister came away with first place in his age category as did Mark Warters. Mark recorded a 22:01 ride and Alex 22:44. Calum MacDonald was fastest of the Roads foursome recording 21:51 and Harry Brawley 23:29. The Roads team were also the fastest team of the six Ayrshire Teams in the event.

Graeme Obree, former world champion and record holder presented the medals.