Strong Welsh contingent among elite field heading to Lampeter and Aberystwyth

SOME of Britain’s leading cyclists will head to Wales next week as the 2026 Lloyds National Road Championships get under way.

Sixteen former elite national road champions are among the riders named for the event, which begins in Lampeter on Thursday, June 25, before moving to Aberystwyth for the circuit race and road race.

Welsh rider Zoe Backstedt, of Canyon//SRAM Zondacrypto, is expected to be one of the headline names after winning the elite women’s time-trial title at last year’s championships.

Backstedt said: “I’m super excited to come back to Wales to race national champs this year. I don’t get to race in the UK a lot, let alone in Wales, so that makes it even more exciting to be there.

“We’ve got such a strong roster of riders in the UK, so it’s never going to be easy, but I hope I’ll come into this in good shape and fighting for the win.”

Millie Couzens, of Fenix-Premier Tech, returns to defend her women’s road race title. She faces a strong field including three-time road national champion Pfeiffer Georgi, Morven Yeoman, Imogen Wolff, Cat Ferguson, Anna Henderson and Flora Perkins.

In the men’s road race, Sam Watson, of NetCompany Ineos, will look to retain his crown against a field including former national champion Ben Swift, reigning under-23 champion Matthew Brennan, Adam Howell and Ethan Hayter.

Hayter said: “Nationals always seem to bring out the best in me. I’ve managed to win a jersey in 2024 and 2025, so it would be nice to try to add another in the TT or RR.

“Each year the level gets higher, but it makes for aggressive, exciting racing.”

Cameron Mason will return to Aberystwyth to defend his open circuit race title, with Thomas Armstrong, Matt Bostock and Oliver Wood among those expected to challenge.

Kate Richardson also returns as defending women’s circuit race champion. She will be joined by a strong field including Isabel Sharp, Carys Lloyd, Xan Crees, Jenny Holl and Josie Knight.

A number of Welsh riders will also compete across the championships, including Finlay Tarling, Elynor Backstedt, Anna Morris, Owain Doull MBE and Megan Barker.

Erin Boothman, following a successful track season, will make her Lloyds National Road Championships debut in the women’s road race and under-23 women’s time-trial. Ben Wiggins will also return to Ceredigion as he looks to improve on last year’s silver medal in the under-23 men’s time-trial.

Ten national champions’ jerseys will be contested over three days of racing.

The time-trial takes place in Lampeter on Thursday, June 25. The elite women, under-23 women and under-23 men will race over 25.6km, while the elite men will cover 38.4km.

Aberystwyth will host the circuit race on Friday, June 26, and the road race on Sunday, June 28, giving spectators the chance to watch some of Britain’s best riders on Welsh roads.

The championships return to Wales with support from the Welsh Government.

Pic: Lloyds National Circuit Championship 2025 (Pic: SWPix.com)

CARERS across Wales are being left overworked and without timely support, a Senedd member has warned.

Claire Archibald MS, Reform Wales’ Shadow Minister for Social Care and member for Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion, raised the issue during questions to the Plaid Cymru Health Minister.

She highlighted concerns that many unpaid carers are still waiting too long for Carer’s Needs Assessments, despite a commitment that assessments should be completed within 28 days.

Ms Archibald said reports such as At Breaking Point showed that many carers were either unaware of their rights or were facing delays before receiving meaningful help.

Questions have now been raised over when the 28-day standard will be fully implemented across Wales and how local authorities will be held to account.

Ms Archibald said: “Carers across Wales are essential to the health care system, yet too many are overworked and not receiving the support they need to continue their vital role.

“Despite Plaid Cymru’s promise to ensure Carer’s Needs Assessments are completed within 28 days, many carers are still unaware of their rights or facing long delays before receiving any meaningful help.

“There must be clarity on when the 28-day standard will be fully implemented across Wales, alongside robust accountability measures to ensure local authorities deliver on this commitment.

“Without proper funding and enforcement, there is a risk that responsibility is simply passed on to already stretched councils, leaving carers without the support they urgently need.”

DRIVERS are being urged to avoid the A4075 this evening following a collision near Bluestone.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the road has been closed between Yerbeston and the Bluestone Roundabout while emergency services deal with the incident.

Traffic reports say the closure is affecting both directions between the A4115 and the B4586, with slow traffic in the area.

A police spokesperson said: “The road is currently closed due to a collision. Please avoid the area and find alternative routes for your journey.”

Motorists are advised to allow extra time and use an alternative route where possible.