HOT shot young cyclist Carys Hughes turned on the pedal power to take the Welsh U14 girls’ Cyclo Cross title at Pembrey Park.

Racing on an energy sapping muddy course, as the muddy ruts grew throughout the day it was the juniors who had to endure the slickest course with long tarmac sections, a log climb, hurdles, off camber sections and a long finishing straight.

Choosing tyres and tree pressure was an especially difficult decision with the changes in surfaces throughout the course.

The Monmouth Comprehensive School youngster finished lap one just two seconds back on front runner Aisling Charlesworth from Wrexham before making her move.

And at the half-way-mark she led by five seconds before completing the third lap with a 13-second advantage.

Her North Wales rival pushed back in the closing stages, but Cerys, who rides for the Abergavenny Road Club, had too much in hand, crossing the line eight seconds clear in 32 minutes 29 seconds, with Annabelle Griffiths of Rhyl Cycling Club taking third in 33.25.

The race counted towards the Welsh Cyclo Cross League standings, with Carys taking 200 points to go clear by three points at the top from Lara Elias of Velo Myrddin CC, who was fourth in the championship race 1.19 behind her.

Carys has won her last four races and there two more stages left to decide the overall league winner

Monmouth Comprehensive School tweeted: “Congratulations to Carys who became U14 Welsh Champion at Cyclocross at Pembrey County Park this weekend. Da iawn Carys!”