REDDITCH Olympian Beth Crumpton demonstrating her improving form as she bagged third place in the latest round of the of the British Cycling National MTB 2015 series at Cathkin Braes.

While Annie Last stormed to victory in the Women’s Elite race, over six minutes to the good of Peebles' Lucy Grant, Crumpton finished strongly and closed the gap on the top two during the final lap.

First year elite Isla Short, headed the race out towards propeller point but with the series contenders on her wheel, the lead was to be fairly short lived and on the opening lap, it would be Last who powered away from the field.

Grant followed but had to be content to look after her second place during the six laps, as barring any incident, the win was almost a foregone conclusion for Last.

Crumpton looked settled in third spot but had to be aware of a chasing Kerry MacPhee (Rock and Road).

Lucy Allen (Mazing Tree IT) was riding well within the top ten but two punctures later in the race would end her day.

By the midpoint of the race, Last was over two minutes up on Grant, the National Champion looked unstoppable and never eased off the pace making the course look easy and with two laps remaining, the gap was a few seconds off four minutes.

Crumpton upped her pace and as the final lap began, the gap to Grant had started to fall.

Last took a solo victory but eyes were on the final short rise to the finishing straight to see who had won the second place battle and it was Grant who had hung on to take second, Crumpton having to be content with third.