Welsh cycling championships puts spotlight on Newcastle Emlyn and Teifi Valley

Hot on the ‘wheels’ of the Tour of Britain, Welsh Cycling is hosting two major events for an action-packed weekend of cycling in the spectacular Teifi Valley.

The Welsh Time Trial Championships 2021 and the Welsh Road Race Championships 2021 will be held on Saturday and Sunday, September 18 and 19  in Newcastle Emlyn.

The time trial will see riders covering a 24.6 km (15.3 mile) course out of Newcastle Emlyn and racing up and down the Teifi Valley. The road race will cover a total of 12.3 km (7.6 miles) and both events will present a challenge to the riders competing for the prestigious Welsh Champion’s jersey.

Saturday’s time trial starts at 2pm from Station Road finishing in Llandryfriog; and Sunday’s road races will get underway at 11am and 2pm starting and finishing in College Street outside the police station with various laps for spectators to enjoy lots of exciting action.

The races will require rolling road closures, so motorists are advised to plan ahead and leave plenty of time for their journeys. Signage will be in place along the route.

Spectators are being urged to enjoy the racing but please take extra care and show your respect to the riders as well as local communities and Covid-19 safety guidelines. Parking is available at the town centre car parks.

Carmarthenshire is fast becoming known as the Cycling Hub of Wales and only last week hosted the AJ Bell Tour of Britain for the third time. It saw the world’s top cyclists racing through the beautiful Tywi Valley in an exciting team time trial event for stage 3 of one of Britain’s biggest and most prestigious sporting events.

Carmarthenshire County Council is committed to supporting more people to get fit and active through cycling, whilst growing the local cycling tourism economy.

The council’s Actif team have been working closely with schools in the area offering spin classes and cycling sessions as well as balance and toddle bikes for younger children.

The Welsh championships are being supported by both Carmarthenshire County Council and Newcastle Emlyn Town Council.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for the Environment Cllr Hazel Evans, and local member for the Cenarth ward, said: “I am delighted that Newcastle Emlyn and the Teifi Valley is hosting the Welsh cycling championships. It’s a great boost for the area, for both residents to enjoy and local businesses to benefit, as we bring more and more top events to Carmarthenshire and showcase what we have to offer.

“As a council, we want to encourage more people to enjoy cycling for both leisure and travel. Whether a resident of Carmarthenshire or just visiting; an experienced cyclist or commuting to work; trying to get fit or out for a leisurely spin, Carmarthenshire has something for everyone.”

For more information including route maps, please visit the British Cycling website britishcycling.org.uk and go to road race events.