LOCAL youngsters came out in force to make their mark with some great cycling action at Abergavenny Festival of Cycling's Get Connected Welsh Open Criterium,

The night began with the toddlers, as David Wylie-Morris, of Abergavenny RC, won the U8 boys race from Towy Riders duo Iolo Dafydd and Garan Jones.

Maindy Flyers started a good night as well, with the daughter of Tour de France ace Magnus Backstedt taking the title. Zoe Backstedt was presented with her prize by her dad, with Heledd Hunt, of Towy Riders, second and Awen Roberts, also from Towy Riders, in third.

And, after a couple of podium places, it was time for Towy Riders to claim the top spot in the U10 boys event as Guto Dafydd rode away from the opposition to take the title from Joe Nethell, of Maindy Flyers, in second and team-mate Jack Roberts in third.

Emma Finucane made it a double in the age group for Towy by winning the girls event and there was likely to be some friendly family banter afterwards as sister Rose Finucane was second. Cardiff Jif rider Isabelle Bennett was third.

And age group national champion Megan James, the first sister of Olympic squad member Becky in action, was just beaten for the victory in the U12's contest in a sprint finish.

There was a bunch of nine riders who entered the last lap all with a chance of glory and there was nothing to choose between them as they came into the final one hundred metres.

But Abergavenny RC's Joe Beckinsale seized the initiative and came home, with arms raised, to seal the boy's title.

James was a bike-length for second overall but first in the girls section

Maindy Flyers James Codd was second among the boys, with club colleague Oliver Beere in third.

Pfeiffer Georgi, of Giant CC, was second to James among the girls, while Chippenham Wheelers' Lauren Booth came home third.

Meanwhile, Becky James's sister Ffion, came home first in the U16 girls event ahead of Cardiff Ajax's Emily Haycox and Manon Lloyd, of Towy Riders, in third.