CROWDS turned out in force over the weekend to cheer on some of Wales' best cyclists.

Ruthin hosted the Welsh time trial championships on Saturday, while Sunday was marked by the Welsh road racing championships.

St Peter's Square was packed with spectators on Sunday to witness the conclusion of the road races.

Gruffudd Lewis (Ribble Pro Cycling) and Elizabeth Bennett (Campinense – Velo Performance) took home the Welsh national jersey in the men and women’s road race.

 

Action from the Welsh road racing championship in Ruthin

 

The course was designed to provide the riders with a challenge, with the Nant Y Garth pass being the centrepiece.

The women took one pass of the tricky climb, with the men taking it on twice.

And with our tight and technical 8km closed road circuit thrown in, the course was all about providing exciting racing and that certainly proved to be the case.

Gruffudd Lewis took home the victory in the men’s race with a close sprint finish ahead of Sion Harlow (Team PB Performance) and James Phillips (BIKESTRONG-KTM) after what was a gruelling day out.

Also involved in the sprint finish was St Asaph's Dylan Kerfoot-Robson (Vitus Pro Cycling p/b Brother UK), who finished fourth.

 

Action from the Welsh road racing championship in Ruthin

 

In the women’s race, Elizabeth Bennett finished ahead of Isabel Ellis (SaF Zaisseng) and Rebecca Richardson (Brother.uk Fusion) to claim the national jersey.

In Saturday's time trials, it was Anna Morris (Team Velotec) who won the women’s event with a time of 1-03.03.

Ruthin Cycling Club's Lucy Marshall finished eighth in the event.

Ioan Smallwood (Cardiff Ajax CC) won the men’s event, stopping the clock at 56.22.

Sally Cunliffe (Ruthin Cycling Club) won the women's masters (50+) Welsh time trial championship, completing the course in 1-15.00.

 

Action from the Welsh road racing championship in Ruthin

 

For Gareth McGuinness (Clwb Beicio Egni) it was a superb day on the TT bike as he took home the men masters (50+) jersey winning with an impressive time of 1-01.40.

The men’s masters (40+) title was won by David Williams (Velotik Racing Team) with a time of 58.54.

For the juniors it was Owain Roberts (Backstedt Cycling) who took home the coveted jersey with a time of 1-00.40 ahead of Christopher Mann (Marsh Tracks Racing) and Thomas Harrington (Abergavenny Road Club).

Reflecting on the weekend, Welsh Cycling chief executive officer Anne Adams-King tweeted: "Great day at Welsh road race champs.

"Thanks the people of Ruthin, to all the volunteers and Welsh cycling team for making it all happen."