FORMER Otley resident Adela Carter (Hope Factory Racing) won the women's race in the second round of the National Trophy Cyclo-Cross Series at Southampton Sports Centre.

The 32-year-old Sheffield-based rider finished sixth in the opening round at Shrewsbury two and a half weeks ago but stepped up several gears to triumph from Merce Pacios Pujado (Beeline Bicycles), while Bradford junior Amira Mellor (Paul Milnes RT) was third.

Diane Lee (Team Mulebar Girl) led out from the start and a group of seven formed, including Hannah Payton (Kinesis Morvelo Project) – who is back from Belgium – Carter, Wilsden's Annie Simpson (Hope Factory Racing), Mellor and Pujado.

Sarah Murray (CXMagazine.com) was also in the mix early on but dropped off as the pace proved too much.

Pujado and Carter proved the strongest and jumped away with a third of the race gone, while Simpson climbed off with three laps to go, suffering the effects of riding the Rapha Supercross at Alexandra Palace the previous day.

With three laps remaining, the leading duo attacked again as they came out of the wooded area and headed towards the pits.

Payton looked to be struggling and was alongside Lee, while Tamina Oliver (Cotswold Veldrijden) was pushing hard.

At the bell, nothing could separate the leading two, while Mellor was now up with Lee as she headed for an eventual third place.

As she hurtled round the final lap, Carter attacked Pujado just before the pits on the fast descent and held her lead to win by six seconds.

Heading into round three at Durham, there are three riders all on 60 points – but Carter will wear the yellow jersey of series leader as the winner of round two.

Carter said: "It's a really big surprise to win. I haven't been feeling too good and had a slow start to the season with a lot of work and not a lot of training.

"I suppose the phrase is, I was fresh! I tend to be able to start quite well because I'm small so I can accelerate.

"I missed last year but the previous two years I came second here and I've learned that you can't overtake on the descent into the finish and it's difficult to win from there, so you need to be ahead before the final rise up to the pits."