MALVERN cyclist Evie Richards enjoyed a UCI Cyclo-Cross World Championships top-10 finish in the annual event in Switzerland.

Richards had to deal with crashes towards the start of the race last weekend before riding strongly to claim a sixth-place finish in her first championships in the elite category.

The former under 23s winner, of Trek Factory Racing, returned to the competition after missing 2019 due to a knee injury.

Ex-The Chase School pupil Richards, 22, said: “I think I was a bit unlucky, there were three big crashes at the start.

“I was on the back foot and had to make up the deficit on the first lap. I just tried so hard so I can’t be disappointed.

"I tried really hard and now I’m hungry to go again next year so it’s a win really.

"The injury was the best thing that’s happened to me and I am such a happier person and a better rider for it.

"I’m enjoying my cycling now and I think that’s showing in my performances.”

Fellow Malvern cyclist Harriet Harnden, 19, was competing in the under 23s race and managed to cross the line in 11th place in Dubendorf.

It was the T-Mo Racing teenager's first appearance at a world cyclo-cross championships.