A speeding vehicle which ground the Velothon to a halt after allegedly driving dangerously toward cyclists on the closed route was being driven by two men wanted by the police for questioning it has been revealed.

The incident last Sunday forced the race stop at Nantyderry and Llanellen, after a police helicopter saw the car driving the wrong way towards cyclists.

Two men have been arrested on suspicion of burglary, after valuables from recent burglaries were recovered from the vehicle.

A police spokeswoman said, "At approximately 10am on Sunday, May 22 Gwent Police received reports of a car driving dangerously on the Velothon cycle route.

“The vehicle was monitored by a police helicopter, and was sighted in the Llanfoist area driving the wrong way towards the race.

“The blue Peugeot involved was wanted after burglaries in the Dyfed Powys Police area and in Govilon, Abergavenny.

“Due to this, event organisers, for health and safety reasons, stopped the sportive race at Llanellen.

“The vehicle again left the route at approximately 11am and the race continued.

“A 32-year-old man and 27 year old man from the Blaenau Gwent area have been arrested on suspicion of burglary.

“The vehicle was also seized along with property from the burglaries recovered from inside.”

A spokesman for Velothon Wales confirmed that the incident was due to a motorist driving on the closed section, and the race had been halted for the safety of spectators and riders.