KINGSWINFORD cyclo-cross star Hannah Payton took a giant step towards winning this season’s National Trophy Series by winning the latest round at Bradford following a thrilling final sprint with Spanish champion Merce Pacios Pujado.
Her father and coach Kevin Payton claimed: “The outcome depended on who dealt with the final steep climb best as the finish was only a short sprint away.
“Hannah got herself in front and then strategically placed her bike so the Spaniard couldn’t get past her.
“It was an epic finish, but Hannah floored it on the tarmac when she got to the top”.
With just one rounjd left, Hannah is now a hot favourite to take the title when she travels to Shrewsbury on January 5 and Kevin Payton added: “She holds a 20 point lead going into that race and might only have to finish in the top three to make certain”.
As a result of her victory at Bradford, Hannah, who is 19, has been selected to represent Great Britain this weekend in the World Cup Series race at Namur in Belgium.
She will also have a crack at the National Championships which take place in Derby on January 11 and 12.
But Mr Payton revealed: “If Hannah could finish fourth at the National Championships, it would be considered a good result as a number of British professional riders who compete abroad return to take part.
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