MID Wales cyclist Tim Davies will hold a significant advantage over his rivals when he lines up in the Welsh Cycling Road Race Championship in Llandrindod Wells this weekend, bidding to retain his O50 Masters title.

The road races, featuring Wales’ best cyclists, will be passing within 50 metres of his front door in Crossgates.

Davies, who competes for Abergavenny Cycling Club, is hoping “local knowledge” will give him an edge over his rivals when the championships come to the spa town this Saturday and Sunday (August 18&19).

Competitors in the road races, which are being held over a 17-mile route around the mid Wales countryside, will assemble at Llandrindod Wells leisure centre for the start at the scout hall on Sunday morning. The elite E 1/2/3 and junior men will race over four laps (113 miles), via Crossgates, Gwestre, Nant-Glas before returning to Llandrindod along the A470 and A4081, while the senior women and veterans will race over three laps (68 miles). The senior and junior men’s race will start at 11am.

Both road races will finish on Ddole Road industrial estate. Race finish times will be around 1.15pm for the women/veterans race and 1.45pm for the senior/junior mens race.

Davies, aged 51 who works as development officer for the Powys Association of Voluntary Oranisations and is also the reigning national MTB grand veterans champion, said: “I think a bit of local knowledge will definitely be helpful. Last year when I won in north Wales we had to go over some really big climbs in the race, which is my forte. But this year isn’t quite so hilly so knowing the area really well could be to my advantage.

“Then again if things aren’t going very well maybe I’ll pop home and have an early bath!”

Looking to retain his road race title from 2017 in the senior men’s race will be 22-year-old Dylan Kerfoot-Robson from Team Wiggins. He will be up against stiff opposition in the form of last year’s second and third placers Gruffudd Lewis of Ribble Cycling and Dan Evans of Assos Equipe.

Amy Gornall from British Cycling’s development team will be seeking to retain her title in the senior women’s race.

Llandrindod Wells’ mayor Cllr Jon Williams will present awards to the race winners at Llandrindod leisure centre shortly after the completion of the Senior/Junior mens race.

The individual time trial events on Saturday will be hosted by Rhayader Leisure centre. A total of 58 riders will be taking on the undulating 16.4-mile course, which starts on the A470 south of Rhayader and proceeds via Llanyre and Nantmel to finish on the A44 East of Rhayader.

First rider off at 11.02am is Jessica Evans from the Assos Equipe UK team. The remaining 57 riders will then start at two-minute intervals.

Welsh time trial champions jerseys will be awarded to the winners in the Senior men, Junior Men, Senior woman, Male Veterans 40-49 age group and Male Veterans over 50 age group.

Anne Adams-King, the chief executive of Welsh Cycling, said she was hoping big crowds would turn out for a great weekend of cycling. She added: “I would like to thank Cardiff 100 Miles Cycling Club for promoting the event, and the many volunteers and officials giving their time to support the Championships.”