MALVERN'S Harriet Harnden held on for second woman overall and first in the junior category at the HSBC UK Cyclo-Cross National Trophy Series first round in Derby.

It was the first time the 16-year-old had competed with the country's elite women at the discipline.

T-Mo Racing's Harnden, who has just moved up from the under 16s age group, only finished behind Redditch's Beth Crumpton of Storey Racing.

A huge number of riders tested their fitness and skills on a course that followed the contours of the land as well as throwing in some man-made obstacles including a 60-metre sand pit, hurdles, bridge and wooden steps.

The women’s race saw all three categories contested in the same race with the three winners filling the top three places in the race overall.

Harnden initially threw a spanner in the works for several seniors, going off hard and storming through the sand to take command of the race.

But Crumpton took it all in her stride, pacing her ride perfectly to gradually close in on the youngster, pass her and establish a lead of her own.

Harnden successfully battled it out with under 23s riders Anna Kay, Sophie Thackray and Amira Mellor for the remaining podium spots.

The Malvern competitor said: "This was my first race as an elite woman which meant there were no expectations so I just went along with how the race unfolded.

"In the opening laps I sat in the fight for first and second but as the race continued I settled into my own race.

"It’s up there as one of the hardest races I have ever done as the course was so relentless with nasty corners which could easily catch you out.

"Taking second in elite women and first junior was certainly unexpected, far better than I had hoped after just moving up from the under 16 age category."