British glory for Awen as club’s cyclists display top form
THE cyclists of Carmarthen’s Towy Riders have struck a rich vein of form, culminating in national honours for young and old alike.
Over a two-week period, members took one British honour and two Welsh titles and two Welsh podium places.
In Scarborough, 14-year-old Awen Roberts clinched the British Under-14 Road Race title at the National Youth Championships. She instigated the race-winning break from the peleton, taking four other riders with her before timing her final attack on a climb before the finish line to beat her rivals by a clear 15 seconds.
Her strong climbing ability served the schoolgirl from Derwydd well and she was clearly happy with her performance at the end.
Another 14-year-old club member, Maes y Gwendraeth schoolboy Iago Williams, retained his Welsh Cycling Association 30-mile time trial title, sealing it with a rapid 1hr 12min 50secs on the A40 course at Abergavenny.
In Cardiff, Queen Elizabeth Carmarthen schoolboy Rory Gravelle dominated the Welsh under-12 track Omnium Championships by securing his national jersey with a strong display in all disciplines.
Not to be outdone by their younger charges, Towy Riders senior members Simon Thomas and his pilot Matt Blue clinched two podium places in two days at the Welsh Paracycling road race and time trial held at Pembrey Country Park and Gelli Aur respectively.
Their outstanding times at both events secured the silver medals in both competitions.