THE final round of the Welsh MTB series hosted by Hafren Cycling Club was held at Glynhafren farm just outside Llanidloes earlier this month.

An entry of 165 riders were wet and muddy conditions following rain on a late on Saturday and overnight, and there was more rain during the mornings kids races, making conditions challenging.

Children had their own separate course, and it was certainly demanding, with a steep fire road climb straight out of the start, mixed in with some rocky descents, muddy sections and even a couple of stream crossings.

The start of the under 10s race with Danny Davies on front row. Picture by Bob Benyon.

The adult course start and finish was on the grassy field back at race HQ, and it was climbing straight out of the start that certainly got the legs warmed up quickly, before a short descent, and onto the long main fire road climb of the lap, that in turn continued climbing along a long technical single track section, and a grassy cambered climb that took riders upto the lone tree at the top of the course.

Teleri Rowlands in action. Picture by Bob Benyon.

From here riders started to head downhill, on mix of muddy, rocky and grassy descents, heading back down into the woodland, and into new section for this year, that took riders almost back down the start field and the first A/B line split followed by short and brutal climb back up, and onto the final gulley sections of the lap, and another cambered A/B line descent into the final gulley.

In the first race the ladies, juvenile, youth and fun male and female classes took place in tough conditions but by the second race the sun had come out and the course was drying fast.

 James Joyce in action. Picture by Bob Benyon.

 

County Times:

Their were some notable performances by local riders with Danny Davies from Builth Wells third in the under 10 boys race while Llanidloes’ Teleri Rowlands was second in the under 12s girls ahead of sister Heledd in third while Llanidloes’ Poppy Jones also enjoyed a top finish.

Iestyn Rowlands of Llanidloes ended third in the youth boys race and Welshpool’s Alice Joyce second in the junior girls.

George Joyce in action. Picture by Bob Benyon.

Meanwhile Gemma Pryce won the women’s fun race while Newtown’s Ashley Banks was second expert and Welshpool’s George Joyce second junior.

Alice Joyce in action. Picture by Bob Benyon.

Builth Wells’ Jonathan Pugh was second veteran home and Welshpool’s James Joyce was third in the grand veterans’ class.

Ashley Banks in action. Picture by Bob Benyon.
Hafren CC would like to thank the riders, volunteers, Welsh cycling staff for their support, and the event sponsors Brooks Cycles (Welshpool), Gilbert Davies Solicitors (Welshpool) and Co-op Supermarket.