THE Tour de Môn cycle sportive returned to Anglesey on Sunday (August 22), with almost 1,000 riders taking to the island’s beautiful roads.

The ride, organised by Llangefni-based Always Aim High Events, usually takes place annually, but was cancelled last year due to COVID-19.

The weather at the start line was ideal for cycling with a moderate breeze and slightly overcast, and conditions improved throughout the day, ending with some beautiful sunshine in the late afternoon.

Each of the three routes - Bach (46 miles), Canol (77 miles) and Mawr (106 miles) - saw riders experience some of the most picturesque country and coastal roads in the UK.

Always Aim High’s marshals were on hand at the feed stations as well as out on the course, which passed through the likes of Trearddur Bay, Beaumaris, Moelfre, Melin Llynon and Menai Bridge.

Always Aim High managing director, Tim Lloyd, said: “It was amazing to be back in Holyhead again for the Tour de Môn after missing out on this event in 2020.

“The Tour de Môn really is a favourite with our participants and it’s definitely one of ours. It’s great to see such a wide range of cyclists coming to Anglesey to take on such a beautiful ride.

"The views were incredible as always, just like the atmosphere at the event village. The Tour de Môn is definitely the jewel in the crown of Welsh cycle sportives.”

Starting the riders off at this year’s Tour de Môn was Councillor Richard Parry, Mayor of Holyhead.

The 2021 Tour de Môn also returned to the airfield at RAF Valley with the hugely popular ‘Flying Mile’, where riders pitted themselves against the clock on the mile-long timed section along the runway.

The fastest times across the ‘Flying Mile’ were Bethan Jones for the women with a time of 118 seconds, and Gafin Griffiths for the men in 107 seconds.

Always Aim High Events were incredibly proud to have teamed up with the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund (RAF BF) as their charity partner for the Tour de Môn.

The RAF BF works tirelessly to provide assistance to the RAF Family when in need and to support the morale and wellbeing of the serving RAF.

The event saw many riders take on the course to raise vital funds for the charity.

Mr Lloyd added: "We were also delighted to welcome the Lord Mayor of Holyhead, Mr Richard Parry, to start off the riders in the morning.

“The support from local residents in Holyhead, as well as the whole of Anglesey, has been amazing.

“As always, our marshals and volunteers make our events what they are and we’d like to extend a huge thank you to them all for sparing their time.

“We’d also like to thank RAF Valley for the use of the airfield, our sportive partners, and Anglesey County Council for making the event possible.”

Full sportive timings are available from the TDL website at: www.tdleventservices.co.uk.