Kilo champ Hobbs prevails in mountainous Welsh battle

Londoner Noah Hobbs wins Junior Tour of Wales, Tarling second

- James Shrubsall

“It’s the one, isn’t it?” says Noah Hobbs when we catch up with him two days after his impressive win at the Junior Tour of Wales two weekends ago. And he’s right, it is the one. The race has history, prestige, and a list of alumni that any WorldTour race would be proud of.

Tekkerz CC rider Hobbs won two of the five stages on his way to a 43-second win over Josh Tarling (Wales) in what was a very hilly race. Joshua Golliker (TrainSharp) was third.

Hobbs, 18, was keen to make up for his disappointment at the Tour of the Mendips in early August, where he made a strong start only to concede the leader’s jersey in the later stages.

“As soon as I got the yellow in Wales, I was just thinking how I wanted to keep it right up until the end, unlike in the Mendips,” Hobbs said. “It was definitely a big challenge. I think I’ve managed to get some climbing form, luckily,” he added, referencing the race’s multiple mountain challenges.

These included a time trial up the lesser- used side of the Tumble on stage one (won by Tarling), and finishes up Black Mountain and the Tumble on stages two and five (won by Hobbs, and Tarling respectively).