ABERYSTWYTH enjoyed a celebration of cycling, including town centre criterium racing, downhill mountain biking, a Hill Climb race and a mass participation ride, covering the best roads in Ceredigion.

The hugely popular Aberystwyth Cycle Festival, which also included fringe events all last week, attracted some of Britain’s top cyclists, with town centre races taking centre stage on Friday.

Cyclists from as young as eight years old kicked-off the road racing action, with six separate schools races, followed by a Town and Gown fancy dress challenge for locals and students.

This was followed by a 4th category ‘GoRace’ for first time senior racers, a 3&4 Cat race, the Storck Women’s Grand Prix and the Ceredigion Grand Prix for E/1/2 category professionals and top amateurs.

It meant that well over 500 cyclists raced around the streets of Aberystwyth as part of the proceedings.

Team Wiggins finished on top of the podium in the Grand Prix, with Samuel Harrison winning in 1:03:06 from teammate Rhys Howells second in 1:02:48 and William Brown of Brother NRG third in 1:02:49.

The top 10 was completed by Hefin Evans, Bynea CC 1:02:58; Rhys Williams, Road Development Program 1:03:00; Ryan Brain, Cwmcarn Paragon Cycle Club 1:03:02; Daniel Davis, Alé DMT Cipollini 1:03:00; Martin Ford, Brother NRG 1:03:00; Brecon Burnett, Cardiff Ajax CC 1:03:00 and Kieran Wynne-Cattanach, Maxxis 4 Racing Team 1:03:01.

The Storck Bikes Womens Grand Prix was won by Charmaine Porter of Team Ford Ecoboost 48:51 in a very close finish from Ffion James of Abergavenny RC, also in 48:51 and Amy Hill of Cycle Team OnForm also in 48:51. Sisters Lois and Leah Brewer where the first Ystwyth CC riders, both in 49:07.

The Continental Cup for Category 3/4 Riders was won by Ystwyth Cycling Club’s Kristian Bond in 32:38, from Joseph Beckingsale of Abergavenny Road Club second in 32:41 and Adam Tempest of Pontypool RCC third in 32:43. Ystwyth CC’s Gareth Jones was 11th in 35:18.

A thrilling Edco Wheels Trophy 4th Cat Race was won by Jonty Gordon of Clwb Beicio Egni in 21:03, from Jack Woolley of Ystwyth Cycling Club in 21:03 and Philip Thomas of Hafren CC S4, also in 21:03.

Junior Races: Year 3 Boys: 1 Noah White; 2 Charlie Baxter; 3 Tristian Warrander. Year 3 Girls: 1 Efanna Lewis; 2 Hawys Richards; 3 Rebecca Clark. Year 4 Boys: 1 Llyr Morris; 2 Stephen Jones; 3 Rees Jones. Year 4 Girls: 1 Elaine Jenkins; 2 Elliw Rees Jenkins; 3 Lily Moralee Hughes.Year 5 Boys: 1 Reggie Middleton; 2 James Raw; 3 Llyr Jones. Year 5 Girls: 1 Megan Lewis; 2 Lois Jones; 3 Sian Cleaton. Year 6 Boys: 1 Llion Rees Jenkins; 2 Harri Jones; 3 Llyr Rees. Year 6 Girls: 1 Alaw Lewis; 2 Elen Morgan; 3 Mia Jones.Year 7/ 8/ 9/ 10 Boys MTB: 1 Griff Lewis; 2 Kyle Hughes; 3 Iestyn Thomas. Year 7/8/9/10 Girls MTB: 1 Lowri Richards; 2 Shannon Rae Haird; 3 Catrin Thomas.Year 7/8/9/10 Boys Road: 1 Owen Evans; 2 Endaf Williams; 3 Dafydd Wright. Girls Road: 1 Shannon Rae Haird 2 Lowri Richards; 3 Layla Parker.

See next week’s edition for pictures of all the criterium winners.