HUNDREDS of cycling enthusiasts and families lined the streets of Abergavenny as the town’s cycling festival brought the curtain down on its 31st year today.

The award-winning event saw professional and amateur cyclists descend on Monmouthshire again for a series of races between Wednesday and yesterday, including the “Iron Mountain Sportif” and Chepstow Grand Prix.

The final day of the festival today saw crowds line the barriers in Abergavenny, as they cheered on professional riders in the 113-mile Grand Prix of Wales and Para GP of Wales.

Anthony Fidow, 61, of Risca, is a member of the Cwmcarn Paragons Cycling Club and rode up to Abergavenny to watch the first group of professional riders head out.

“I think Abergavenny has always had a strong cycling club and a lot of people have grown up with cycling [...] the amount of people this event brings to the area is great," he said.

Denzil and Amy Rees, of Merthyr, were on holiday near Abergavenny and visited the town out of curiosity after hearing about the festival.

“It is brilliant and it is nice for the town," said Mr Rees, 66. "I think it is a real achievement for all the disabled people that take part.

“It wonderful what they do. Just incredible,” Amy Rees added.

Cllr Maureen Powell, waved the flag as riders crossed the finish line by the war memorial on Frogmore Street this afternoon.

He said: “We welcome cycling here as it has put us on the map like the Abergavenny Food Festival. There will be a little disruption but it is a price worth paying."

For more information about the Abergavenny Festival of Cycling, visit abergavennyfestivalofcycling.co.uk