Amazing Grace wins in Welshpool!

Welshpool did itself proud today!

Despite the persistent threat of showers, the town turned out in the hundreds to pack the centre and welcome the finish of stage four of the UCI Women's WorldTour.

While the stage may have been won by new overall race leader Grace Brown, the town can be proud of itself and looked glorious as the cycling world descended on Mid Wales.

The town centre was closed off from the early morning, and some traffic queues formed this afternoon as the event team worked frantically to reopen the roads, but we can all look forward to Welshpool and its surrounding countryside’s moment in the TV spotlight on ITV4 at 8pm tonight. It will also be available on demand via the ITV Hub.

Dozens of children took part in the activities laid on throughout the day while some, including a group from Hafren Juniors Cycling Club (pictured), even had the chance to ride their bikes up the home straight before the professionals reached town.

Australian Brown moved into the Women’s Tour race lead with two days remaining after sprinting to victory in Welshpool.

Brown edged out 2017 champion Kasia Niewiadoma and Elisa Longo Borghini to claim the stage four win having initiated the move that took the trio clear 5km from the line. She now leads Niewiadoma by four seconds and Longo Borghini by six going into Friday.

Stage four of the Women’s Tour started in Wrexham at 11.15am, before over 100 of the best female cyclists from across the world took on 90 miles of Mid Wales roads including a lap of Lake Vyrnwy on their way to Welshpool.

The organisation was exemplary and businesses reported a busy trade as crowds stood four or five deep in places to welcome the riders.

The Tour continues in the morning with a start in Pembrey, south Wales, before finishing in the Brecon Beacons. It concludes across the border on Saturday with a final stage that will end in Oxford.