MALVERN’S Evie Richards raced to victory in the penultimate round of the British Cycling National Trophy Series in Peel Park, Bradford.

The Malvern Cycle Sport 17-year-old was ranked outside of the top 150 elite female racers in her first series event.

But She beat national elite leader Amira Mellor to the line after a hard-fought battle.

Richards said: “It was great to win in my first National Trophy event and I really enjoyed it. There was a great atmosphere.

“Amira and I had a real race-long battle. I had couple of things go wrong with my bike so I really had to fight to get back.

“I’d like to do more cyclo-cross and although I’m going to have a bit of a break over Christmas and see my family, I’ll still be out on my bike and doing my training.”

Mellor and Richards exchanged the lead throughout.

The Chase School pupil raced alongside her coach and team-mate – 2014 World Enduro champion Tracy Moseley – of T Mo Racing, who secured a hard-fought ninth place.

Richards puts her recent form and success down to hard training and the support of coaches and friends at Malvern Cycle Sport.