Will Roberts of the Wales Racing Academy rounded off an enthralling day of Welsh Champs criterium racing in Aberystwyth by taking home the Welsh national jersey in spectacular fashion by winning the men’s elite race on Saturday evening.
The result was even sweeter for Roberts as he was coming back from illness, but sweeping into the final corner alongside Gruffudd Lewis (Ribble Pro Cycling), Robert’s sprint stuck as he took home his first Welsh national jersey in this discipline.
The Aberystwyth cycling festival which has been a regular feature on the cycling festival and attracts cyclists from all across Wales proved to be a hit once again. The racing didn’t disappoint as there were 12 Welsh champions crowned over the course of the day.
The tight and technical course which has played host to the Tour Series in the past provided spectators with stunning views of Aberystwyth’s coastline, but it was the real action on the road which had all the eyes focussed on. Despite some spills throughout the day – the racing and weather was kind as the Welsh championship season is now well underway.
The first race which saw a new champion crowned was the under 12 boys and girls championship and it was Dylan Sage (Bush Healthcare CRT) and Aelwen Davies (The Bulls) who took the victory respectively.
It was the perfect start to the racing as from then onwards the action was full-gas right up to the final race. As for the under 14’s championship – the racing was again an all action display. But it was also the first race which saw riders hit the deck, something which unfortunately turned into a common theme as the day progressed.
But for Ioan Oldfield (Marsh Tracks Racing – Trek) it was a day to remember as he was too strong for his counterparts Seth Jones (Maindy Flyers) and Finlay Tarling (West Wales Cycle Racing). The girl’s race was equally exciting as Awen Roberts (Towy Riders) took home the Welsh jersey ahead of Lowri Richards (West Wales Cycle Racing) and Rebecca Codd (Maindy Flyers).
As we moved up into the older categories, one race which stood out before anyone had pushed a pedal in anger was the U16 boy’s championship – with some exciting prospect on show, it was always going to produce thrilling racing.
In the end the race had it all. Yet more crashes, but a breakaway finish by Joshua Tarling (Backstedt Cycling) tore up the usual crit racing script as he got clear with two laps to go. The chasing pack tried but couldn’t reel in Tarling as he powered to victory.
After a brief interlude for a fancy dress race which saw Fred and Wilma Flintstone make an unexpected appearance – next up was the Masters Men championship. This category is always hotly contested and like the under 16’s boys championship, there was an air of expectation as they lined up.
Right from the bell, the racing was full on and with three laps in the race split significantly. But as the race hit the final few laps, a crash threw up yet more drama. But in the 40+ classification Frazer White (Pontypool CC) took victory ahead of Glyndwr Griffiths (73 Degrees CC) and Andy Hoskins (Cardiff JIF). Whilst in the 50+ it was Dion Thomas (Bynea CC) who won.
Spectacular finale as senior women and elite men put on a show
With the action drawing to a close, spectators were hanging on the watch the last two races which saw the senior women and the elite and junior men take to the course.
In a fast women’s race, it was Gwenno Hughes (Westland Wil Vooruit) who took victory. The race split early on and a group of four led the way for the rest of the race. But when it came down to a sprint it was Hughes who finished ahead of Charlotte Mitchell (Team Jadan Weldtite) and Bethany Taylor (Bianchi Dama).
After a long day of racing, all that was left to crown was the elite and junior Welsh Champion. There was some big hitters across the line-up and when the action got underway there was a sense of inevitability that something special was brewing.
For the first half hour, the pace was steady as a select group took hold of proceedings and set the pace but as the race entered the final 20 minutes there was another nasty crash which halted proceedings.
But as the race restarted, the action kicked up, not just one, but a few gears as riders began getting shelled out the back. As they entered the final three laps, it was all about positioning. Coming through for the final lap, Roberts was nicely placed within the top five and with the crowd getting whipped up to fever pitch as they hit the final corner it was Roberts alongside Lewis. But as the line got closer it was Roberts who managed to get across first to take home a morale boosting victory.
In the junior classification it was a trio of Sam Beckett (Cardiff JIF), James Codd and Liam James-Morris (Team Backstedt) who made up the podium, meaning it was a good day for the Wales junior programme riders.
Reaction from Roberts
After winning his first Welsh national crit jersey, Roberts said: “I’d just come off the back of an illness, so I was trying to do as little work as possible since I knew I probably only had one effort in me.”
The crash, with 10 laps to go wasn’t ideal, and speaking about the restart, Roberts said: “That really stung the legs when we got going again.” It wasn’t long after that the final lap came around and talking us through the sprint, the 2019 winner said: “I gambled on a sprint and it worked out a treat. I’m very happy to win, it’s been a tough year so far, so this is really nice!”
Images courtesy of Huw Fairclough
