BRIDPORT rider Catriona Ross sprinted to fifth place in the women’s junior race at the Tour of Britain criterium in Penzance.

Negotiating a strong headwind, Ross worked hard with two other riders trying to break the peloton with attacking racing from the start.

The group was reduced to nine riders before the sprint to the line, with Ross finishing fifth behind eventual winner Pelly Colloff.

Ross has enjoyed a great road season representing Bridport and is the current UK masters road race champion for her age.

Speaking to the Bridport News, Ross said: “This was my last road race for the season before starting the cyclocross season so I was very motivated to get a good result.

“The course was very narrow with a long section into a strong headwind so positioning would be key. Along with two other riders we did most of the work on the front trying to break the peloton apart.

“The group split with the high pace and was down to nine.

“I got onto the front with a couple of laps to go trying to keep the pace even higher which was hard into the headwind.

“On the last lap I knew the attacks would come and tried to get into the last corner in a good place for the sprint where I took fifth.

“I’m really pleased to end my road season on the Tour of Britain podium representing Bridport and Dorset.”

Ross now switches to cyclocross, where she is first in her age group.