Will Roberts of the Wales Racing Academy rounded off a stunning day of Welsh Championships criterium racing in Aberystwyth by taking home the Welsh national jersey in spectacular fashion in the men’s elite race on Saturday evening.

Roberts swept into the final corner alongside local Ceredigion star Gruffudd Lewis (Ribble Pro Cycling), and his sprint stuck as he picked up his first ever Welsh national jersey in this elite discipline.

“I’d just come off the back of an illness, and I knew I probably only had one big effort in me,” said Roberts.

“I gambled on the sprint and it has worked out a treat. I’m just very happy to win, as it’s been a tough year so far, so this is really nice.”

For the first half an hour of the showpiece race, the pace was steady as a select group took hold of the proceedings, but as the race entered into the final 20 minutes a nasty crash halted proceedings.

When the race restarted, the action kicked up 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 in a top five, and with the crowd getting whipped up to fever pitch as they hit the final corner, it was between Roberts and Lewis.

As the line got closer, Roberts managed to get across first to take victory, ahead of Lewis in second, with James Phillips taking third place.Ystwyth Cycling Club was represented in the elite race by Kristian Bond, who finished 11th, and Richard Eakins and Rhys Evans, who did not complete the race.In the junior classification it was the 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.

In the women’s race, Gwenno Hughes (Westland Wil Vooruit) claimed victory.

The race split early on and a group of four led the way for the rest of the race. When it came down to the sprint, Hughes finished clear, ahead of Charlotte Mitchell (Team Jadan Weldtite) and Bethany Taylor (Bianchi Dama).Ystwyth Cycling Club’s Leah Brewer took sixth and twin sister Lois Brewer eighth in a thrilling sprint to the line.In the Over 40s classification Frazer White (Pontypool CC) took victory ahead of Glyndwr Griffiths (73 Degrees CC) and Andy Hoskins (Cardiff JIF).Ystwyth Cycling Club’s Wayne Maguire crossed the line in 10th and Eugene Kenny was 14th.In the Over 50s Dion Thomas (Bynea CC) won, with Timothy Davies (Abergavenny/JP Signs & Print ME3Wal) second and Ystwyth Cycling Club’s very own Ieuan Davies taking third.In the Lynwood Garage 3rd and 4th Category Race, Huw Owen of BC Private Member won, ahead of Dean Jones (Ely RC) and Rob Dyde (Pembrokeshire Velo).Ystwyth CC’s Carwyn Henson was 12th, Tomos Roberts 23rd; Sion Manley 24th; David Jones 25th and Rhodri Jenkins 26th.The Lime Firms Category Novice Women’s race was won by Kelly Rose (Ely Race Club) with Kathryn Elias (Gower Riders) second and Cirsty Jones (Unattached) third. Ystwyth Cycling Club’s Lainy Harrison was fourth, Lorraine Langford seventh, and Caryl Hughes finished 10th.Ceredigion’s West Wales Cycle Racing Team was represented by Nia Richards fifth and Angharad Jones eighth.Welsh Criterium Youth ChampionshipsCEREDIGION’s West Wales Cycle Racing Team had three riders on the podium in the Welsh Criterium Youth Championships at Aberystwyth seafront.In the Cactws Under 16s Championship, an excellent breakaway saw Joshua Tarling (Backstedt Cycling - West Wales Cycle Racing Team) tear up the usual criterium racing script to get clear with two laps to go. The chasing pack tried but couldn’t reel in Tarling as he powered to victory, ahead of Gethin Price (Maindy Flyers) and Benjamin (Bright Marsh Tracks). Ystwyth CC’s Griff Lewis was 11th and West Wales CRT’s Dafydd Wright 14th. Orla Davies (Rhyl Cycling Club) won the Under 16s girls’ race.In the Alison Jones Printwear Under 14s race, Ioan Oldfield (Marsh Tracks Racing – Trek) took gold, with Seth Jones (Maindy Flyers) and Finlay Tarling (West Wales Cycle Racing) completing the podium. Ystwyth CC’s Llion Rees-Jenkins was 20th and Gerwyn Humphreys 23rd.The girls’ 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). Ystwyth Cycling Club’s Megan Lewis finished 11th.The Welsh Hot Tubs Under 12s Championships were won by Dylan Sage (Bush Healthcare CRT) and Aelwen Davies (The Bulls) respectively, the ARE Refrigeration Under 10s by Finlay Storrie (Maindy Flyers Youth) and Lara Elias Gower Riders (Gower Riders); and the Byrgyr Under 8’s Championship by Joseph Newton (Towy Riders) and Alaina Jones (Rhyl Cycling Club).Prior to the Welsh Circuit Race Championships, various races for local primary school children were held as part of the successful Aber CycleFest, and the young riders provided some thrilling action.Podium Results: Year 3 Girls: 1 Poppie Haynes, Ysgol Rhydypennau; 2 Erin Whitfield, Ysgol Gynradd Aberaeron; 3. Poppy Jones, Llanidloes Primary School. Year 3 Boys: 1 Jude White, Llandysilio School; 2 George Horniblow, Llanidloes Primary; 3 Owain Lewis, Ysgol Gymraeg. Year 4 Girls: 1 Cari Morgan-Williams, Ysgol Gymraeg Aberystwyth; 2 Maddy Eadon, Ciliau Parc; 3 Emily Ironside, Ysgol Padarn Sant. Year 4 Boys: 1 Xander Brandon-Higgs, Llanidloes Primary School, 2 Gruff Morgan, Ysgol Llanfarian; 3 Sean Bevan, Gymraeg Aberystwyth.Year 5 Girls: 1 Hawys Medi Richards, Ciliau Parc; 2 Efanna Lewis, Ysgol Gynradd Penllwyn; 3 Rebecca Clarke, Ysgol Commins Coch. Year 5 Boys: 1 Entry on Day; 2 Noah White, Llandysilio School; 3 Charlie Baxter, Ysgol Llangwyryfon.Year 6 Girls: 1 Elliw Rees-Jenkins, Ysgol Gymraeg Aberystwyth; 2 Carys Morgan, Llanidloes Primaryl; 3 Annie May James, Ysgol Penrhyncoch. Year 6 Boys: 1 Daniel Warrender, Ysgol Plascrug; 2 Ryan Ellis, Aberaeron; 3 Llyr Morris, Llanfarian. Years 7+ Girls: 1 Sofia Brandon-Higgs, Llanidloes High School; 2 Megan Lewis, Ysgol Gynradd Penllwyn; 3 Lois Medi Jones, Ysgol Penweddig. Years 7+ Boys: 1 Gwion Humphreys, Ysgol Penweddig; 2 Jay Coverdale, Ysgol Henry Richard.See next week's edition for full results and pictures.