Leo Hayter got his Junior Tour of Wales campaign under way in the best possible style after securing the leader's jersey late on the opening night.
The prestigious four-day stage race is seen by many as one of the pinnacle events of the British Cycling | Junior Men's Road Series, a race that has opened the doors to the professional ranks for many.
Tour de France yellow jersey winner Geraint Thomas is one of many to experience home roads, with the race's patron narrowly finishing second in 2004.
Saturday's second stage will run from Abergavenny, via Brecon and Resolven to the Rhigos Mountain, with Hayter taking to the start line at the head of the field after a stirring time trial performance on Friday night.
The VC Londres completed the 8.37km course in a time of 12:49, two seconds better off than South East Region rider Ben Tulett, by the time they reached the summit of the Tumble Mountain after setting off from Brynmawr.
That was enough for Tulett to take the young rider's jersey, with Josh Sandman rounded off the top three in a time of 12:55 - the final rider to stop the clock under 13 minutes.
The four-day event will carry on into Sunday for a circuit race at Parc Bryn Bach while the Junior Tour of Wales winner will be crowned after the fourth and final stage after the Tumble Mountain climb.
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