MALVERN'S mountain biking legend Evie Richards has come fifth in the Women’s Cross-Country Olympic Event.

Former world champion Richards was flying the flag for Britain at Elancourt Hill during the Paris Olympics.

France's Pauling Ferrand-Prevot took first place followed by USA's Haley Batten and Sweden's Jenny Rissveds.

 

British Cycling posted on X: "A fantastic fifth place for Evie Richards after a battling display in the women's Cross-country race."

The 27-year-old finished seventh on her Olympic debut in Tokyo three years ago but a few weeks later she was celebrating a world title, and she also took the Commonwealth title in 2022.

However, Richards suffered a concussion in Brazil two months ago so was facing a challenge up against the likes of France’s Pauline Ferrand-Prevot and Dutch star Puck Pieterse, who came fourth.