Crowds turned out in force in Welshpool on Thursday as the town welcomed the Women's Tour cycling event for the first time.
People lined the streets to watch the thrilling climax of a 90-mile race from Wrexham into Welshpool featuring elite cyclists from around the world, on a course that also took in Lake Vyrnwy, Montgomery, and roads and hills around Powys.
The race was won by Australian Grace Brown, who claimed her first Women’s Tour stage victory and the overall lead with two days to go and celebrated with a bottle of Champagne on a podium set up for the occasion in Broad Street.
And the spectacle of the stage reaching its conclusion in Welshpool caught the imagination both of event organisers and local people, who turned up in their hundreds to watch proceedings.
Among those present was Beverley Baynham, the vice chair of Powys County Council, who was invited to hand the race jersey to the winning rider.
She said: "It was an honour. I'm very pleased with the turnout in Welshpool, and I hope it's been a great event for Powys and for Welshpool.
"Hopefully all these local businesses will see some excellent trade from the crowds today.
"We've had a great relationship with the race organisers and would welcome them back any time."
Paul Alexander, who runs Alexander's of Welshpool, also welcomed the event's impact. He said: "We've had great support from the race organisers throughout the day.
"I think overall the race has been very good for the town. Even outside of business and trade it's just a great atmosphere and a great spectacle that you don't see very often.
"It's the kind of thing that puts a town on the map with such a big spotlight on this sort of sports event."
And the event proved to be inspirational for some young people, including 11-year-old Isobel Owen from Welshpool, who said: "I've been cycling since I was three years old and was so excited to turn out and cheer on women cyclists."
The event organisers were quick to return the praise, hailing the reception that the cyclists received.
Jonathan Durling, partnership director for the Women's Tour, said: "A lot of planning goes into an event like this, it's 12 months of work. So the moment one race ends we already start planning for the next one.
"The past few years have been very hard with the pandemic, and even now expenses become difficult with transporting a whole race across the country.
"But we're very pleased with the crowd that's turned out and can see such enthusiasm for cycling here."
And Rob Kennison, the race finish organiser, added: "I don't think today could have gone any better. It was such a joy to see so many passionate people in such a nice venue.
"Seeing all the enthusiasm, from the crowd's cheers to the shop window dressings, was wonderful.
"The activities organised by the schools and local children have been among the best I've seen at any venue.
"It's been a day of fantastic racing. The reception from Welshpool has more than exceeded our expectations. It's a very likeable town and I wouldn't hesitate to come back."
He continued: "Moving a race each day takes a lot of people who are very good at their jobs, it's a big team effort.
"I'd like to thank the town council support that makes the whole process run very smoothly."
The 29-year-old Brown now leads Niewiadoma by four seconds and Longo Borghini by six heading into Friday’s 66.3-mile queen stage in Carmarthenshire, which finishes with a 4.4mile climb to the top of Black Mountain, which has gradient of 21 per cent in places, in the Brecon Beacons.
Thursday's stage included more climbing than any other in the tour, with riders having to ascend 2,100 metres in total between Wrexham and Welshpool, with two climbing stages either side of a loop around Lake Vyrnwy.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here