The car parts and bikes business, with 465 stores, said annual pre-tax profits rose 1.1 per cent to £72.8million on sales 7.9 per cent higher at £939.7million.
Its shares soared by more than 10 per cent, up 46½p to 488p, valuing the company at £960million. Chief executive Matt Davies said cycle sales had led the way, rising 19.4 per cent over the year and 41.4 per cent in the past three months.
The best sellers were children’s cycles and endorsed bikes such as by Olympic gold medal winner Victoria Pendleton.
Davies added: “We had enhanced ranges and more availability but we also had good weather. Demand will continue to grow helped by the Tour de France and our push to get cycling on the schools curriculum.”
Halfords, in the middle of a three-year £100million plan to get to £1billion sales, said store refits and better staff straining also helped.
Car maintenance sales rose 4.9 per cent with sales at its 303 Autocentres garages also higher.