Claire Emons (...a3crg) finally received the title she desired by winning the Welsh CA Championship 100, while Chris Gibbard (FTP Race Team) added another crown to his collection in the open event.

Veteran rider Emons, aged 55, finished runner-up in both the Welsh CA 25-mile event last season and in 2022 but went one better on this occasion.

Over the 100-mile distance the ..a3crg rider stopped the clock in a winning time of four hours 10 minutes and 41 seconds.

The R100/9 saw competitors complete three out-and-back laps between Abergavenny and Monmouth.

Spindata had predicted victory for Kim Barfoot-Brace (Team Bottrill) in the women’s event but she was a non-starter, along with Corinne Clark (360VRT) and Roxy Woodfield (Ludlow Brewery Race Team).

Meanwhile, Emons came into the event having won the North Hampshire RC/Reading CC 10-mile event earlier this month after three runner-up place finishes earlier in the season.

She was in formidable form on this occasion finishing over three minutes quicker than Madison Shaddick (Swansea Vale Tri) in second (4-14-06), while Michelle Lindley (Poole Wheelers Cycling Club) completed the podium positions in 4-21-51.

“I’m delighted, but a bit broken,” said Emons. “It was a brutal course. Three times around Mitchel Troy is not something I want to repeat again in a hurry.

“It’s a course which is a true test of your ability and the last 15 miles is brutal, pretty much all uphill.

“It’s the first time that I’ve ridden that course but I’ve done bits of it in 25 and 50-mile events. The win is a long time coming, I’ve placed second in every Welsh Championship event I’ve done in the last four or five years.

“To get the win, I’m really chuffed and it was not far off my 100-mile personal best. I feel I can go even better as I’ve got more in my legs, but not today.”

Defending open champion Gibbard, aged 42, won his fourth Welsh CA Championship title after seeing off rival Anthony Jones (VMCC powered by Y Beic).

Gibbard came into the event in good form after winning five open events this season from seven events.

However, Jones won the Welsh CA 100 title in 2022 and provided tough competition throughout.

Eventually Gibbard came home 3-31-53 which was 45 seconds faster than Jones in second, while Henrik Persson (FTP Race Team) completed the podium positions in 3-33-40.

“The conditions were good but it felt like you needed to be on the pedals all the way round the course,” said Gibbard.

“Usually the wind helps you out somewhere but today I didn’t feel like you got anything for free. I tried to just press on when it was hard and get some recovery when it was fast.

“I could see it was really close between myself and Anthony Jones so I had to keep my focus right to the end.

“Thankfully I was able to take my fourth Welsh 100 title which provides a bit confidence before the National 50 and 100.”

* All reports are copyright of Cycling Time Trials/Snowdon Sports. Not to be used without permission.

Results:

Open:

1. Christopher Gibbard (FTP (Fulfil the Potential) Race Team)        3:31.53
2. Anthony Jones (VMCC powered by Y Beic)         3:32.38
3. Henrik Persson (FTP Race Team)   3:33.40
4. Kyle Blackmore (Port Talbot Wheelers)     3:36.16
5. David James Williams (Velotik Racing Team)       3:38.15
6. Owen Burgess (UF Rowe & King) 3:39.55
7. Karl Norris (360VRT)        3:40.50
8. Ryan James (Virtual Cycling Club)            3:44.23
9. Dan Elliot (TricentralUk)    3:46.59
10. Dan Kingston (FTP Race Team)   3:49.42

Women:
1. Claire Emons (...a3crg)       4:10.41
2. Madison Shaddick (Swansea Vale Tri)       4:14.06
3. Michelle Lindley (Poole Wheelers)            4:21.51
4. Emma Bexson (Stratford Cycling Club)    4:26.21
5. Lisa Davies (VMCC powered by Y Beic)  4:29.01
6. Gretchen Zoeller (Born to Bike - Bridgtown Cycles)        4:36.04