Search

Carmarthen CX - Round 4

Towy Riders staged the latest round of the Welsh Cyclo Cross league last weekend as the series came to Carmarthen, switching to a new venue at the show ground. Fortunately the weather was dry and mild, but the previous week’s rain had made the course soft in places. Entries on the day were the biggest the league had ever seen, with over 170 children and 150 adults racing in the separate categories. The Towy riders fielded their biggest ever entry in their home event.

The battle in the under 8s’ continued with Rory Gravelle having to take second place behind Cian Evans this time with the race going down to the wire. The other under 8’s raced fantastically well, including Rhys Percey, Ioan Jones, Jack Davies, Ilan Dafydd, Jacob Williams, George Williams and Nia Wood.

Awen Roberts took a storming win in the under 10 girls, showing many of the boys a clean pair of wheels. She was followed by Amy Greatrick and Lona Harding-Jones. The boys raced well with excellent finishes from Will Davies, Jake Parker, Sean Finucane, Lewis Reed, Dafydd King, Callum Lewis, Sion Jones, William Lewis and Liam Jones. Rosie Finucane romped home in the under 12 the girls as the circuit started to cut up and the racing got tougher.

The U12 boys race ended up being a war of attrition, with great performances from Liam Edwards, Gruffydd Daniel, Sam Smith, Charlie Barnwell, Tomos Perkins, Oliver Percey, Sion Davies and Iestyn Burke.

The U14 and 16s’ moved on to the full course with it’s long stretches of mud, twisting corners and technical banked sections. A fantastic Towy performance in the under 14 boys saw Owain Roberts take the win with Guto Dafydd third and outstanding racing by Cian Roberts, Bryn Davies, Jonathan Walters. Danielle Parker rode strongly to take second in the under 14 girls, however bad luck blighted the other girls with Eluned King forced to stop due to sickness and Emma Finucane suffering a blowout.

Ioan Thomas shone in the U16 boys by riding away from the field with a powerful performance. Tomos King again rode well to take 5th in the under 16 boys. Carla Whittal rode well in her first ever cross race in the under 16 girls. The novice women also raced over the same distance with a great performance by Susie Finucane, coming 4th.

In the seniors race there were many parents trying in vain to emulate the youths, and proving just how skilful the children had been. With a capacity starting field of 132 the long course proved beneficial in spreading the riders. Many parts of the course was becoming a balance between running, riding and keeping the bike working. Top performance came from Robyn Davies in 35th with great rides from Bryan Greatrick, Geraint Roberts, Wayne Davies, Wayne Jones and Steven Percey.