ENGLAND’S Ian Bibby triumphed in the third Velothon Wales event, just holding off the challenge of Poland’s Karol Domagalski to cross the line first in Cardiff.

The professional race, which covered 172km and involved two climbs up the Tumble this year, involved 17 teams from 10 different nations.

Bibby of Team JLT Condor, who finished third in last year’s race, just edged out One Pro Cycling’s Domagalski to finish in a time of 4hrs 9min 46sec.

“I was happy with that ride today," said the Lancashire rider.

"Last year the guys who broke away early on stayed away and I didn’t want that to happen again.

“The lads worked really hard on the climb in Caerphilly and we managed to get away there.

"In the end it came down to a game of cat and mouse in the final few kilometres and I managed to win the sprint.”

Team Great Britain’s Chris Lawless, who had blitzed the field to win the Wales Open Criterium in Abergavenny on Friday night, took the bronze medal.

Risca's Sam Harrison, now with Team Wiggins, did not start the race.

The riders raced through Newport, Usk, the Brecon Beacons, Pontypool, Newbridge and Caerphilly before returning to the Welsh capital.

But the peloton left it too late to chase down the trio of breakaway riders as things became stretched on the second lap of the Tumble between Blaenavon and Abergavenny.

The legendary climb – a 6km, category two gradient climb of 10 per cent – provided a huge challenge to the riders in both the amateur and professional sections of the race.

Fastest up the steep climb was Tom Silcox of Cardiff Ajax in 17:19, closely followed by club team-mate Dave Middleton.

Bath Cycling Club were the winners of the Yellow Jersey Trophy after recording the fastest accumulative time.

The West Country club were also awarded the polkadot trophy for the fastest team ascent of the Tumble.

But local club Cardiff Ajax were crowned Overall Club Champions, which is based on the total kilometres ridden at Velothon Wales. Their 50 riders travelled a distance of 6,580km.

First rider home in the 140km amateur Sportive was Anthony Roberts of Guildford in 3hrs 40min 43sec.

The honour of being the first Welsh-based rider to finish fell to Morgan Jones, who came in only a minute later.

The first woman to finish was Tina Hartwright from London, who raced over the finish line in 4hrs 4min 40sec.

Event director Nigel Russell said: “The third instalment of Velothon Wales proved to be the best yet along the stunning, sun-bathed course in South Wales.

“Local communities turned out in their droves to cheer on our 9,000 amateur riders and professionals, while our army of volunteers ensured this year’s event went down without a hitch.

“I would like to thank all five local authorities for making the 2017 Velothon Wales the unforgettable event it was. We’re already looking forward to next year!”

Next year’s event will be on Sunday, July 8, in 2018 and entry details will be announced soon.