ROSIE Brown has her sights set on joining the elite after surprising herself in her first British Cycling National MTB Cross-Country race.

The 24-year-old, from Corsley, took the first of the five-race series by storm as she won the Expert category in Pembrey, Wales.

The Westbury Wheelers rider recovered from a fall in the third of five laps to hold off Hannah Saville and Emily Quantrill, second and third respectively, to claim victory with a time of 1 hour 36 minutes 7 seconds.

Brown’s achievement is all the more remarkable as the PE teacher at Kingdown School, in Warminster, only started the sport last year after being inspired by her dad.

“I knew I wanted to get a fast start and my dad had told me to go out after the first corner, however, I wanted to do my own thing and I went off quickly from the line and managed to get in front of the rest for the single track,” said Brown who had made the step up from the third-tier Sport category.

“After about three minutes, second and third overtook me but I managed to sit on their wheels for the first lap and on the second lap, I managed to make a move.

“I knew I was in the lead in the third lap and I put it down and put in a lot of effort, but I ended up going quickly down a downhill section and must have hit a stump and managed rotate over my bike and winded myself.

“I thought it was game over but I managed to get back on and I came round to the last lap, and it struck me that I was going to win my first national event.

“I came across the line and was in complete shock."

Brown, who was regional champion in the Sport category last year, added: “My overall aim for the whole season was to get on the podium once, thinking that was going to be a challenge in itself.

“I have set the standard now and I am going to have to up my game even more.''