Steven James (Hope Factory Racing) and Sophie Halhead (BW Cycles) were victorious in the elite men’s and women’s race at the opening round of the 2017 Welsh Cycling Mountain Bike Series at Bryn Bettws on Sunday.
Overnight rain at the venue in Afan Forest made for a challenging day of racing, which was accompanied by strong winds and showers during the competition. The 6.8km tested riders with technical sections and 248m of climbing in each lap.
James took the elite men’s win, followed by Jacob Phelps (TORQ Perfomance) and Stephen Hodge (Plymouth Corinthian CC). With only two entries for elite women, Sophie Halhead (BW Cycles) took the win, with Ruby Miller in second.
In other categories, there was a strong field in Sport and Veteran Men, with Leigh Johnson and Matthew Lewis winners of their categories. Welsh Cyclo Cross League winner, Matthew Fratesi took the win for Expert Men.
The course tested the youth and juvenile riders, but it was Benjamin Bright and Madeline Osborn who took victory in the juvenile races. In the youth category, Scott Williams and Eluned King were the race winners.
Results
The series will continue on Sunday 7 May, with round two hosted by Clwb Beicio Dyffryn Conwy in Coed Llandegla.
2017 Welsh Cycling MTB Cross-country Series
7 May
Round 2: Coed Llandegla, Denbighshire
21 May
Round 3: Allt Ddel, Aberystwyth
18 June
Round 4: Builth Wells, Powys
30 July
Round 5: Pembrey Country Park, Carmarthenshire
2017 Welsh Cycling Mountain Bike Cross-country Championships
