CYCLING fans turned out in Llandrindod Wells this morning as some of the world’s top riders gathered for the start of the OVO Energy Tour of Britain.
The riders are currently on a gruelling 87 mile loop of Powys which sees them heading across the north of Radnorshire, to Rhayader, and down towards Epynt before heading towards Builth Wells and to finish at the Royal Welsh Showgrond at Llanelwedd, just seven miles from where they started.
The first riders are expected to reach the Showground at around 2.20pm.
The race started in Suffolk on Monday and Wednesday’s stage, in the English Midlands, was won by Kasia Niewiadoma of Canyon//SRAM Racing.
The Polish rider, who won the 2017 race, outsprinted Team Sunweb’s Liane Lippert after the duo had broken away from the peloton with Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek-Segafredo) on the first of three ascents of Burton Dassett.
German rider Lippert replaced her compatriot Lisa Brennauer (WNT-Rotor Pro Cycling) in the OVO Energy green jersey as race leader with as the tour entered its final two stages, in Wales, with the race winner to be crowned in Carmarthen tomorrow.
Local schools also turned out in Llandrindod this morning to cheer on the riders.
There is a programme of rolling road closures in place as the race makes its way through Brecon and Radnorshire.
Ahead of today’s stage Lippert said she was surprised to take the OVO Energy Green jersey, although on equal time with Niewiadoma
“I was already on the team bus when I heard I was in the leader’s jersey and I had to climb off and everyone was cheering for me, it was funny.
“I went all out and saw Kasia in front of me. I tried to get closer but she was super strong and I’m happy with my second place. I first need to realise what just happened. I’m in the leader’s jersey now and it’s my first UCI Women’s WorldTour podium finish ever. I have a really strong team. Now I’m in the jersey but we’ll see. I hope to [win the overall], I will try my best.”