Owen-Edwards makes her mark on the world stage

The former Kenilworth School and Castle Sixth Form pupil made her debut at the second round of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup Series in the Czech Republic in May, buoyed by victory in the Welsh Cross Country Mountain Bike Nationals.

However, she admits she was unprepared for her first taste of World Cup action.

“I had a bad start as I was completely overwhelmed by the pace and close proximity of other racers and had some catching up to do,” admitted Owen-Edwards.

“My aim was to get a finish and complete as many laps as I could before the leaders caught me.

“I completed three laps and rode the technically challenging sections that had caused crashes for riders far more experienced than me and finished my first World Cup event satisfied and having learned a great deal.”

After a mid-season break, the 30-year-old used that knowledge to great effect to finish 11th in the British Mountain Bike Series at Hadleigh Farm and claimed further UCI points in the final round of the World Cup in Hafjell, Norway.

The points gained mean Owen-Edwards has qualified to race in next year’s series, while lifting her to 200th in the world and 14th in Britain.

She added: “From humble beginnings, riding my old mountain bike to school from Leek Wootton to Kenilworth and around the bridleways in Warwickshire, I’m so proud to be competing on the world stage and representing Great Britain.”

You can follow the progress of Owen-Edwards, who is completely self-funded, on Twitter at @RacerRuth