KINGSWINFORD cyclo-cross star Hannah Payton has the National Trophy Series title within her grasp after winning the latest round at Bradford this week.

Hannah held off the challenge of Spanish champion Merce Pacios Pujado to win a thrilling sprint finish and tighten her grip on the Trophy Series yellow jersey.

Delighted coach Kevin Payton said: “The result depended on who could climb the final steep bank the quickest, where Hannah got in front and then strategically placed her bike where Merce couldn’t get past before winning the sprint finish.”

It leaves 19-year-old Hannah with just one race left in the series at Shrewsbury on January 5 where a top-three finish should be enough to crown her champion.

But there’ll be no time to rest on her laurels as the National Championships take place the following weekend on January 11 and 12 in Derby.

Her outstanding form this season will be put to the test as several full-time professional riders return to take part.

Payton added: “Just to finish in the top four would be a fantastic result, but to make the podium she would have to beat some of the professionals”.

Hannah was this week waiting to see whether her success at Bradford would be good enough to earn her selection for Great Britain’s side that will be competing in the World Cup Series race which takes place in Belgium this coming weekend.