No bike medals for Welsh firemen

Welsh firefighters said they were happy just to take part

Seven north Wales cyclists failed to follow in the footsteps of Olympian Nicole Cooke and win gold - at the World Firefighters Games.

More than 100 competitors from around the world competed in the mountain bike competition which was held in Llandegla Forest, near Wrexham.

The 10th games were hosted by Liverpool, and an estimated 5,000 competitors have attended.

The games ended on Tuesday, with Wales winning 30 medals.

The mountain biking was one of the final events of the 10-day tournament.

It's just nice to take part and to meet different people from different countries Sonja Hoeben, London firefighter

The Games were launched in New Zealand in 1990 and are held every two years.

Firefighters compete in 72 events, ranging from table tennis, skiing and football, to chess, poker and fishing.

Llandegla Forest is home to about 40 km of mountain bike trails and on Tuesday firefighters of all ages and nationalities competed for medals.

Seven firefighters from Wales took part, including Mark Welrdick, stationed at Rhyl, Denbighshire, Mark Jones, based in Wrexham and Richie Everall who works on Deeside, Flintshire.

Mark Weldrick, who has competed in four events, said: "There's a unique buzz about every event. It just makes you proud to be a firefighter."

Sonja Hoeben enjoys meeting firefighters from different countries

Colleague Richie Everall said: "It emphasises what we do for a living. It's about pushing yourselves.

"And the camaraderie is very special, meeting people who do the same job as you. Sport is a great medium for getting together, it's a great motivator."

Mark Jones, who is due to retire from the service in two weeks, added: "Mountain biking isn't my main sport, but I'm just here for the ride and to take part.

"I've been involved in the games before as an organiser, but this is my first time as a competitor."

Firefighter Sonja Hoeben, 35, left her home in London at 0430 BST on Tuesday to make it in time for the event.

She said: "It's my first World Firefighters Games. I'm a sporty person and I just decided to go for it.

"I do a bit of cycling and I ride to work, so I thought why not?

"I enjoy having a laugh, that's what the games are all about. The standards are high and to win would be great, but it's just nice to take part and to meet different people from different countries."

Wales finished in tenth place with 13 gold medals, 13 silvers and four bronze.

England topped the table with 164 golds, 136 silvers and 117 bronze medals.