HANNAH Payton has become the National Trophy Series champion following a sensational victory in Shrewsbury this week.

The Kingswinford cyclo-cross star pulled out all the stops to win the final race in the Series after holding off a determined challenge from Redditch rider Beth Crumpton.

Payton went into the race with the knowledge that she had to finish ahead of Spanish champion Merce Pacios Pujado to make certain of the title.

However, the Spaniard suffered a dreadful race after crashing and could only finish fifth.

Instead it was Great Britain mountain bike squad member Crumpton, now based in Manchester who proved the major threat to preventing Payton from finishing on a high.

Payton was out to produce a third Series win but found Crumpton stuck to her shadow throughout the race.

Her coach and father Kevin Payton claimed: “It all came down to the final set of steps. Beth was right on her heels and Hannah had to dig that bit deeper”.

Payton had previously won the Trophy Series as a Junior rider, but this was a much tougher level and sets her up nicely for the National Championships which take place this weekend in Derby.

Payton is under no illusions of the task ahead as she will face several full time professional riders who have returned from the continent especially for the event.

Payton has targeted a top four finish which could earn selection for the World Championships.

The Payton family were out in force at Shrewsbury.

Kevin Payton came sixth in the Over-50s event while Tom Payton was 22nd in the Senior Mens event, where victory went to Belgium star Yorben Van Tichect who beat all the top British riders.

Stourbridge Cycling Club’s Anthony Neave came home 15th in the Junior event to confirm his UK top 20 ranking while Jayne Cheslin claimed 23rd place in the Senior Women’s race which will put her in good stead for the Over-40s category at Derby.

Derek Hill came 27th in the Over-60’s event, a pleasing performance for his first ever National race.