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CX Series - Pembrey Rd 8 & Gilwern Rd 9

Pembrey - Round 8

The Towy Riders youth cycling club successes have continued in the Welsh Cyclocross league. The last two round held at Pembrey and Abergavenny produced some outstanding performances. Last weekend saw the Towy Riders bike racers come close to home for the Pembrey round of the cyclo-cross at the country park. A record number of entries in all races provided the large number of spectators with some fantastic racing.

The good weather continued with conditions dry and fast. The battle continued in the under 8’s, with Rory Gravelle getting second place and Rhys Percey gaining another high finish, supported by Ilan Dafydd.

In the under 10’s Awn Roberts rode well getting second place girl supported by Amy Geatrick in 6th. A whole host of new Towies in the boys got their first taste of racing with top performances from Jake Parker, Sean Finucane, Dafydd King, Lewis Reed, William Davies and Ethan Morris.

Ten Towies lined up in the under 12 boys with Iolo Dafydd battling hard throughout to take sixth, supported Gruffydd Daniel, Liam Edwards, Tomos Perkins, Oliver Percey, Morgan Lloyd, Sam Smith, Charlie Barnwell, Dylan Williams and Pearce Doherty. Rosie Finucane once again showed a clean pair of wheels to the rest of the girls, coming a clear first.

The Towies once again showed their strength in the under 14’s with Eluned King taking second for the girls on the senior course supported by Emma Finucane in 4th and Danni Parker in 7th. A great ride by Susie Finucane in the Novice Women category coming second supported by Sian Percey. The boys rode equally well coming down to a bunch sprint with Owain Roberts taking second and Guto Dafydd third with a great ride from Jonathan Walters. The under 16’s provided the spectators with some fast racing, with Ioan Thomas coming second supported by Tomos King in 4th.

In the seniors race a record field of 165 riders lined up on the fast course over the dunes and through the forest. The fast conditions suited many of the road-riders. Top performance came from Bryan Geatrick getting 12th veteran, with great rides from Steve Parker, Steven Percey, Wayne Jones, Chris Morris, Carwyn Davies and Jonathan Roberts.

Results - here

Gilwern - Round 9

The Towy riders moved on to Gilwern, near Abergavenny this weekend for the penultimate round of the league. The course was a mixture of fast tracks and very narrow technical sections, which tested many of the riders.

Rory Gravelle once again showed his speed coming away with a great second place, supported by Rhys Percey and Ilan Dafydd.

Awen Roberts seemed secure of victory until a fall on the last lap, and had to settle for third girl. Amy Greatrick put on her best performance of the season to come fifth girl. Dafydd King raced hard in a quality field to get 19th overall.

The under 12s race came down to a bunch finish for the podium, with Iolo Dafydd just missing out. Other great rides from Gruff Daniel, Tomos Perkins, Oliver Percey and Morgan Lloyd.

The under 14s and 16s raced on the full adults course that included a slippery descent through the woods and the infamous spiral of doom, which had the riders circling inwards towards the centre of a spiral before circling back out. Under 14s series Owain Roberts was unable to race, leaving the race wide open. A courageous ride from Guto Dafydd saw him come third despite a number of setbacks. Cian Roberts followed in fifth supported by Bryn Davies in ninth.

In the U14 girls, series leader Eluned King suffered a mechanical, as one of her pedals fell off. She valiantly tried to get back in the race but lost too much time. A great ride from Emma Finucane saw her getting third. Ioan Thomas battled throughout in the under 16s to get a great third place.

Another large field of well over a hundred riders lined up for the seniors race. With the course holding up well after the youth races, it looked to be a battle of speed, stamina and technical skill. The top performance came from Robyn Davies getting 5th veteran with another great ride in negotiating the tricky course from Steve Percey.