Holmfirth High school student Amira Mellor hit the podium to claim second place in the opening British Cycling National Mountain Bike series race.

The teenager, riding for the Bradford-based Paul Milnes Cycles team, rode to a fantastic second spot in the first outing of the 2014 series, staged at Codham Park in Essex.

Mellor, who also rides as a second claim member for Holmfirth Cycling Club, has moved up an age group this season to the Junior Women’s category, although she is still at the younger end being just 16.

The next race is to be held in Redruth, Cornwall, over the May Bank Holiday weekend.

Although Mellor did not get the best of starts, she soon showed her strength by riding through the field into second place.

The course was not as technical as she likes and Mellor is now looking forward to the more technical course inside an old tin quarry in Cornwall.