REDDITCH mountain bike star Beth Crumpton produced a battling display to finish fifth in the first round of the British Cycling MTB Cross-Country Series at Sherwood Pines on Sunday.

The 20-year-old found herself dead last after crashing early on in Nottingham.

Crumpton, who rides for the North West MTB Race Team, needed a pit stop to have her handlebar realigned.

She then weaved her way through the traffic up to fifth, but the race belonged to the Belgium national champion Githa Michiels.

A late attack by Crumpton’s British counterpart Alice Barnes saw her retake second place, while Nathalie Schneitter rolled across the line to finish third.

Crumpton’s fightback was impressive as rain lashed down on the elite women’s race.

Eventual winner Michiels also flourished in the filthy conditions as many struggled, but was pushed all race by Barnes and Swiss rider Schneitter.

Crumpton had taken the field out of the start arena with Barnes, Schneitter, Michiels and Annie Last gaining a small gap on the remainder of the field.

But Last and Crumpton hit the deck, leaving the arena for the first time before producing remarkable recoveries.

Michiels soon settled into her rhythm and by the end of the first lap was sitting at the front of the race just ahead of Barnes and Schneitter.

Last was back in the technical area with a mechanical issues, while Nicky Healy made the most of the national champion’s misfortune by riding into fourth place as Kerry MacPhee was looking settled in fifth.

Last soon took back fourth place after her pit visit, but it looked to be too big an ask to challenge for the lead.

Michiels was away on her own in the now torrential rain, and riders were losing bottles in the feed due to wet gloves.

Crumpton will be hoping to improve on this display in round two, which will be held at Newnham Park, in Plymouth, on Saturday, April 18 and Sunday, April 19.