THE second annual Tour De Shane Sportive saw more than 200 cyclists join the rugby legend in setting off from the Bishop’s Palace, St Davids, in bright sunshine last month.

Some chose to enter the 50 or 75 mile routes individually while a host of local groups also supported the race - including Pembrokeshire Velo, West Coast Tri, Milford Tritons, Narberth Dynamos and the Fishguard Round Table.

All proceeds from the ride went to the Velindre Cancer Centre, for whom Williams is an ambassador, and the Tilly Morgan fund, in support of the youngster from Trefin who was diagnosed with leukemia in late 2016.

“It’s great to be back here and to be riding for two great charities,” Williams told Telegraph Sport shortly before getting going.

“I loved last year and it’s a great course.”

And the irony of the event starting from the Bishop’s Palace, meaning an immediate incline for those taking part, wasn’t lost on him.

“I’m from the Amman Valley so I always start on the hill,” he laughed.

“And there are a lot of steep climbs on the course so may as well start as we mean to go on.”

Also taking part again was Scrum V pundit Sean Holley, a former coach of Williams at the Ospreys.

Prior to the event Williams and Fintan Godkin, of race organisers Man-up UK, briefed the cyclists and urged them to enjoy themselves - while Fintan also welcomed Peter and Alex Harding, the parents of the late Luke Harding, who had been due to be involved in the event before losing his courageous battle with cancer in February.

There riding in his memory, and in support of the Velindre Cancer Centre who helped Luke so much, were the 41 Club, in association with the Round Table.

“It’s an important charity for us and we wanted to come down here and take part, and of course meet the great Shane himself,” said Peter Devonald.

The group are no strangers to a challenge, having raised a huge amount for Children in Need the past two years with cycle rides from Limerick, Ireland, to Pembrokeshire.

The first riders home were the local father and son duo of Paul and Isaac Jones, who completed their 50 miles in three hours and four minutes, closely followed by t Davids resident Katherine Marks.

In the 70-mile event, three cyclists broke the four hour barrier.

Tom Ellis arrived back in three hours and 42 minutes, four minutes before Rhys Harries.

Jef Saycell clocked three hours and 54 minutes.

But the day was about far more than who finished where, with Williams taking the time to ride alongside different people and talk with other cyclists on his way around.

He finished in four hours 54 minutes, crossing the line with his brother Dean, who later described the route, which included the steep Newgale Hill, as the ‘toughest ride he had ever done’.

“It was great to have Shane, his friends and family down for the ride,” said Fintan.

“Even though the ride is part of his fundraising and awareness work for the Velindre Cancer Centre I think everyone will agree it’s not a bad ride to prepare for other events or people’s Ironman Wales 2018 journey.

“And we can not overstate the appreciation we have for Shane for working with us on this event the time he gives to support it and for raising funds for charity. It’s very commendable and it was a top effort from everyone.”