DALE Appleby battled under the intense summer heat to be crowned Welsh Road Race champion in Llandrindod Wells, with the NFTO rider making his defining break in the final lap of the 85-mile race.

The E/1/2/3 race saw exciting action from the start, and Ryan Bevis and Daniel Davies, Alé DMT Cipollini UK, made an early attack with 25 seconds on the bunch by the end of the first lap of the circuit.

But with a strong group of 11 chasers the leaders were caught, with a champion in the group. Gwent-rider Appleby made his move in the final lap, and crossed the line as Welsh Champion, for the third time in his cycling career.

There was fierce sprinting from the chasing group, with William Haynes, of Planet X – Northside Cycling, taking 2nd and Rhys Williams, Zappi’s Cycling Team taking 3rd.

“It’s the third time I’ve won the title, but every time it feels great," said Appleby at the finish line.

"It was a tough race, and I think the heat affected a lot of people, at one point it was about 28 degrees.

"But it is good to be able to race on home roads in Wales, I don’t get to do that very often.”

Paul Hayward of Cwmcarn Paragon crossed the line first to take the Masters C/D title.

The peloton kept together in the first lap of the 51-mile race, but it was Hayward who made the move and broke away and made the race his own.

With one lap to go, Hayward secured a 50 second lead before taking the title comfortably. Hayward’s closest rival Matthew Beckett, Cardiff JIF came in 1m8s behind to take 2nd and Gerry Bowditch, Dream Cycling Race Team with 3rd.

Meanwhile Catherine Coley, Ludlow Brewery Race Team took the women’s title, with Rebecca Richardson, Hafren CC in 2nd and Anita Saycell, Ystwyth CC completing the podium.

Cwmbran’s Megan Chard, PMR@Toachim House successfully defended her Junior Women’s title with Lizzie Bennett, Liv Cycling Club – Epic Coaching in 2nd and Caitlin Shaw, MnD Fusion RT/Gearclub/Worx in 3rd.

Courtney Rowe, Cardiff JIF retained his title in the Masters E+, and also collected silver in the Welsh Cycling Time Trial Championships the previous day.

Richard Lawrence, Pontypool RCC claimed 2nd and Jeremey Rees, Swansea Wheelers CC took 3rd.

Welsh Cycling thanked Cardiff 100 Miles Road Cycling Club for hosting the 2016 Welsh Cycling Road and Time Trial Championships, and extended their thanks to all officials and volunteers who supported the Championships.