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TV Coverage of the Headway sponsored ride. Ystwyth CC train in full effect on the front http://bit.ly/clwipi starts about 10 minutes in.

(Photos by Rhodri Morris)

Over 100 cyclists raced at Clwb Beicio Ystwyth’s first sea-front cycle races since 1991 last saturday. Beautiful weather greeted those who took part, and despite a strong sea breeze, many spectators came out to support the race which took in both Marine Terrace and the New Promenade outside the Old College as well as Kings Road, Laura Place and Pier Street.

Supported by Menter Aberteifi, Ceredigion Council and Aberystwyth University the evenings racing began with the under 8’s and under 10’s which were started by Aberystwyth’s Mayoress Sam Hearne. With local children up against many from all over Wales and beyond, the Under 8’s  raced for 15 minutes with Josh Tarling of Towy Riders winning from Ryan Windsor of Llyn CC. The under 10’s were also underway and the crowds were enjoying the evenings commentary by one of S4C’s Rasus presenters, Ray Jenkins who gave encouragement to all the youngsters taking part. Owain Roberts was the pick of the crop in the Under 10’s race whilst Mererid Hunt of Towy Riders beat all the boys in the Under 12’s division. The racing became more frantic as the older riders entered the fray with James Brace of Pembroke Velo winning the under 14’s and Llyn CC’s Adam Holt winning the Under 16’s race.

The ‘Go-Race’ event at 7pm attracted a big local entry. This new category targets first time racers in order for racing experience to be gained without competing against more seasoned athletes. The level however, was high thanks to the Ystwyth Cycling time trials and chain gang training events which have been used all year to tune the cyclists ready for the big day.

For 30 minutes the field flew around the circuit with Llanilar’s Arwel Jones forming a breakaway with Gareth Payne, Simon Tudor and Dylan Stephens. Eventually Jones and Payne raced ahead and for many laps, were working well together to keep ahead of the chasing group. With a lap to go, it was these two who had enough gap to hold the others off and on approaching the finishing straight from the Pier to the Crazy Golf course, Jones steamed ahead to win by a length and he had just enough time to raise two arms in the air for the photographers.

The main race of the night drew a strong entry with a team from Preston (Wallis Cycles) containing former Aberystwyth cyclist Dafydd Dylan, Team Wiggle’s Ben Simmons and former Welsh Internationals Ian Bendall and John Holt.

The one hour race was decided to a large degree on lap one when Dafydd Dylan’s tyre rolled off the rim on the tight hairpin bend outside the Belle Vue hotel on Marine Terrace, eventually ending his chances due to mechanical problems suffered in the crash. This hold up allowed the front four riders to gain a gap on the rest of the field which they never closed. Ystwyth’s Gruff Lewis was caught in no-man’s land and he tried valiantly to catch the fortunate four but to no avail. The four pressed on and it was Wiggle’s Ben Simmons, the current Welsh Circuit Race Champion who broke away from this group, taking all but one of the prime lap prizes, generously donated by local businesses. He eventually lapped the majority of the field to take an impressive win in front of a large crowd enjoying the evening’s entertainment.

In the race for second place it was Wallis Cycles Steve Abbott who held of Ian Bendall with fellow breakaway companion Richard Harris in fourth. Gruff Lewis dogged refusal to give up the chase earned him fifth place on the night, meaning he now gains his second category license. Club mate Dan Davies made it to 8^th place meaning two Ystwyth riders were in the top ten positions on the night.

The awards were presented by Miss Wales’s Ceredigion candidate Jessica Davies on the promenade and it was Ben Simmons who took away cash and prizes donated by Summit Cycles, Cambrian Tyres, Madison Cycles and Cyclemart.

Organiser Shelley Childs and Jeff Saycell would like to thank all who helped make the race possible, especially the army of Ystwyth Cycling Club volunteers and all the companies who gave generously including Mid Wales,Scaffolding, Dolphin Restaurant, Hybu Cig Cymru and many more.

 Go Race

1. Arwel Jones – Ystwyth CC

2. Gareth Payne – Ystwyth CC

3. Dylan Stephens – Ystwyth CC

4. Darren Hathaway – Ystwyth CC

5. Simon Tudor – Ystwyth CC

6. Kevin ? – Ystwyth CC

7. Lee Warner – Ystwyth CC

8. A Grindley – Ystwyth CC

9. Ieuan Andrew Davies – Ystwyth CC

10. Glyn Williams – Ystwyth CC

Primes

1,2,3,5,6 – Arwel Jones

4 – Gareth Payne

Senior 2/3/4

1. Ben Simmons – Team Wiggle

2. Steve Abbot – Team Wallis

3. Ian Bendall – Forza Cycles

4. Richard Harris Cwmcarn Paragon

5. Gruff Lewis – Ystwyth CC

6. Dan Evans – Rhos on Sea CC

7. Mark Hammond – Stourbridge CC

8. Dan Davies – Ystwyth CC

9. John Holt – Llyn CC

10. G Howell – Forza Cycles

Primes – Ian Bendall – 1, Ben Simmons – 8