BARNSLEY cyclist Jenson Young won the ‘Battle on the Beach’ in Wales, dubbed the UK’s biggest off-road race.
Young, from Hemingfield, won the event at Cefn Sidan beach in South Wales by 105 seconds.
The weekend started with Battle in the Dark, a 5km time-trial on a narrow single track through sand dunes and woods beginning at 7.30pm.
Jenson set the fastest time which put him in the top 200 starters out of more than 1,000 for Saturday’s 42km race.
Jenson was in front by the end of the first of three laps and stayed clear until the end.
He said: “The start was hectic, bodies everywhere.
“Once I got the lead, I never really looked back.
“The course was harder than I expected but I loved every minute.
“Being out in front on my own was pretty cool.
“Getting plenty of shouts from the crowds and riders I was lapping or coming the opposite way along the beach gave me added motivation.
“I took the last part of the third lap cautiously, not taking any unnecessary risks as I knew I’d done enough to win.
“I am very happy with winning and have a good feeling before the next block of racing starts.”
