Report: WMBS Rd4 Final / Welsh MTB Champs: Supported by Champ System / Bi-Ped cycles

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Fabulous Fifth Title for Williams!

Lee Williams (Team Wiggle) claimed a record fifth title at the weekend's Welsh Mountain Bike Championships, moving clear early in the event to take an undisputed win.

The event proved to be an epic challenge of athlete against the terrain, with many claiming the circuits severe climbs and highly technical descents proved the hardest in memory!

Williams led the Senior men's charge through the opening arena and onto the circuits climbs, with Jon Pugh (KCNC / Clee Cycles), Sion O'Boyle and Anthony O'Boyle (both Torc Performance) for company. After breaking away on lap two, the Team Wiggle athlete pulled steadily clear to claim victory by over three minutes at the finish.

Behind, Anthony O'Boyle dropped away from the podium challenge allowing brother Sion and Jon Pugh to dice for the silver medal - a race that would be taken to the line in a dramatic sprint finish, with O'Boyle holding on for second by the narrowest of margins.

At the podium ceremony Williams was delighted at receive the Champion Systems Welsh Champions jersey for 2011, and bemused to discover a new record of wins had been set!

In the Women's event, pre race favorite Melanie Alexander (XCracer.com) had high expectations, having dominated the Welsh series this year. Alas, Alexander could not match the phenomenal pace set by Maddie Horton (Certini / Specialized), who stormed away on the opening lap to claim a dominant victory from lone chaser Gabby Day (Scott / Contessa RT).

Day received the honour of the Champion Systems jersey as consolation for second in the event, with Alexander receiving the silver medal ahead of Claire Bowen (XCRacer.com)..

In the Junior men's title chase, William Worrell (Towy Racing) relentlessly pushed on the pedals to forge a minutes gap on chaser Matt Thompson (Cardiff JIF). However, as the hills took their toll Thompson clawed back to the leader, finishing with a flourish but narrowly missing out on the 2011 Junior title.

The Masters category saw Anthony Malarczyk (Team AC/DC) return to the category with the best possible result and a dominant victory ahead of Phil Morris (XCacer.com) and George Rose (Abergavenny RC). The chasing pair had been inseparable in previous events at the Welsh Series, but the challenging terrain saw the pair separated early in the event for an individual time trial to the finish.

The Veterans category saw Jay Horton (Team Certini/McCaulays) make a return to the series, winning the race in impressive style from Mark Spratt (One Industries/Cardiff JIF) and Mark James (Bad Ass Bikes). With Jay not eligible for the Welsh title, Mark Spratt took the jersey and Chris Schroder the Bronze. The Grand Veterans men category saw visitor Steve Taylor (Sherwood Pines) add to his list of Welsh titles, finishing ahead of Tony Blackwell and Matt Scrase.(MTB-Maraton.co.uk).

Ffion James (Abergavenny RC) took an expected and dominant win in the Juveniles (Under 14) girls category ahead of clubmates Mererid Hunt and Tanwen Jones, whilst James clubmate Alistair Williams took a delighted win in the boys event. However, the Welsh title was claimed by Peter Kibble (Abergavenny RC) from Nicholas Jones (Towy Riders) and Joe Barnwell (Dyffryn Conwy MTB).

The Youth boys (Under 16) event went to form with Dylyn Kerfoot-Robson (Rhos on Sea CC) taking victory and the title. Second on the day Harry Forshaw (Fully Sussed) put in a excellent performance to take second, ahead of the Welsh title silver and bronze medalists Adam King (Cardiff JIF) and Sam Backingsale (Abergavenny RC). Geena Fraser claimed the female title.

All of the Champions proudly pulled on the Champion System supported, Champions Jerseys. Welsh Cycling would like to thank Champ System for their continued support of its Champions in 2011. Be sure to keep an eye out for the jerseys in future MTB races around the UK.