Before turning professional Smith rode for the French amateur team Athletic Club de Boulogne-Billancourt. He won the professional men's race at the British National Road Race Championships in 1991 and 1994, and was runner-up in 1992 and 1993. He competed for Britain in the 1996 Olympic road race and represented Scotland at the Commonwealth Games in 1986, 1990 and 1998. He also won the Grand Prix Midtbank in 1994.