The 2024 Junior Tour of Wales, organized by Beicio Cymru, once again proved to be a platform for showcasing emerging cycling talent. With a mix of intense competition and challenging courses, the Welsh riders displayed exceptional performances throughout the four-day race. Let’s dive into the stages, standout moments, and overall highlights from this exciting event.
Stage 1: Prologue Time Trial
The tour commenced with a prologue Time Trial that started from Brynmawr and concluded at the iconic Tumble Mountain. Given Wales’ strong track record in time trials, expectations were high for the local riders. Previous champions like Josh Tarling and Tomos Pattinson had set a high standard in the past. This year, Welsh cyclists Dylan Sage, Rory Gravell, Max Bufton, and Ryu Roberts-Hayamizu were poised to make their mark, especially with the addition of current British TT champion Dylan Sage in his national champion stripes.
Day 1 saw an 8.93km individual time trial with a challenging hill finish. Welsh talent Dylan Sage emerged victorious, maintaining the tradition of Welsh Pathway Programme riders dominating this stage. Sage’s impressive time was 7 seconds faster than Seb Grindley, the winner of the recent Junior Tour of Mendips. All four Welsh riders finished strongly in the top third of the field, laying a solid foundation for the upcoming stages. Sage claimed the leader’s yellow jersey, setting the stage for a tough Stage 2 in the Brecon Beacons.
Stage 2: Hilly Road Race
Stage 2 presented a grueling 114.2km hilly road race from Brecon to Crai, featuring a mountain finish. It proved to be a challenging day for the Welsh team, with Dylan Sage surrendering the yellow jersey to Seb Grindley, who took over the overall lead. Despite this setback, Rory Gravell delivered a standout performance by securing two time bonus sprints, placing him in virtual third overall. Ryu Roberts-Hayamizu played a crucial role in covering breaks during the race, while the decisive move came from British Champion Oliver Dawson and his teammates. Sage, who was celebrating his 17th birthday, experienced the pressure of racing in the yellow jersey but gained valuable experience for the remainder of the tour.
Day 3 featured two stages, with the morning session consisting of 40 laps on the Pembrey Motor Racing Circuit. Strong winds influenced the race dynamics, with Sebastion Grindley, donning the yellow jersey, claiming a solo victory. Rory Gravell held onto his Green Jersey for the Points Classification, while Dylan Sage, now in the Blue Jersey for the Young Rider competition, positioned himself strongly for the final stage.
The critérium on the Pembrey National Closed Road Circuit was a dynamic and challenging race, with inclement weather adding to the complexity. Wales focused on supporting Rory Gravell, the leader of the Points Jersey competition. Dylan Sage showcased excellent teamwork by setting up Gravell for a strategic win, solidifying his sprinting prowess and dominance in the sprints competition.
Stage 5: The Grand Finale
Stage 5, the final day of the tour, featured a grueling 89.6km race from Brynmawr to Tumble Mountain. Sage started the day in 5th place overall and 1st in the Young Rider competition. Gravell, leading the points competition, was determined to defend his Green Jersey. A key breakaway, including Max Bufton, gained crucial time before the final climb. James Sawyers secured a well-deserved solo win at the summit, while Grindley finished 9th to clinch the overall victory. Sage finished 10th on the stage, moving up to 4th overall, with Bufton closely behind in 11th. Gravell’s consistent performance ensured he won the Green Jersey on countback, showcasing his exceptional sprinting abilities throughout the race.
In summary, the 2024 Junior Tour of Wales highlighted the strength and potential of Beicio Cymru’s cycling talent. The team’s performances were characterized by resilience, strategic racing, and impressive results across the board. With Dylan Sage and Rory Gravell leading the charge, the future of Beicio Cymru looks exceptionally bright. The tour served as a platform for nurturing young talent and showcasing the best of Welsh cycling to the world.