MALVERN’S Evie Richards took the Shimano Lazer West Midlands Cyclo-Cross Championship senior women’s title with an emphatic victory.

The new-look course at the University of Worcester Lakeside Campus, Top Barn, Holt Heath, was organised by Wyre Forest Cycle Racing Club and included several running sections through mud and steep banks to test strength.

Trek Factory Racing XC rider Evie Richards, the 2018 Commonwealth Games cross-country silver medallist, saw off the challenge of friendly rival Harriet Harnden (T-MO Racing).

The pair battled out the opening two laps before former world champion Richards showed her strength to pull out a winning margin of one minute 13 seconds.

First year under 23 Harnden, who was regional champion last season, settled for second this time while Melissa Baker (Team Empella Cyclo-Cross.com) finished third.

Malvern’s Tracy Moseley (T-MO Racing) was second veteran woman behind Verity Appleyard (Brotherton Cycles).

The veteran men’s 40 to 49 age category race saw a close encounter with Ed Moseley (Malvern Cycle Sport) second too as Philip Glaze (Fishface Cycles RT) won.

In the youth girls’ event leading under 14 rider Hannah Cockroft (Malvern Cycle Sport) was only beaten by Daphne Jones (Mid Shropshire Whls).