Smith's Ryedale triumph

Home rider Abi Smith takes National Series win as Saint Piran take one-two in the men's race

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After a season learning the ropes in the women’s professional peloton, Abi Smith returned home to clinch a victory close to her heart.

The 20-year-old grew up training on the Ryedale Grand Prix route and always had one eye on winning the iconic event.

After signing as a first-year professional for EF Education-TIBCO-SVB, she has been thrown in at the deep end, racing Classics Paris-Roubaix and Strada Bianche, along with stage races Giro d’Italia Donne and the Women’s Tour.

Despite being heavily marked, Smith, from Oswaldkirk, in North Yorkshire, launched a late attack to take victory.

“I’m really pleased to get this one, it’s really special,” said Smith who finished 44 seconds ahead of a reduced peloton.