HARD work and dedication has paid off for Tavistock College student Rosie Andrews, who has retained her South West Cyclo-cross U16s girls’ champion title for the fourth time.

Rosie, aged 14, won in a close competition at the championships which were held in Redruth on December 2.

Rosie rides for both Pilgrim Flyers, based in Plymouth, and Tavistock Wheelers youth cycling, training with both clubs during the week and then again at the weekend if not racing. The talented rider currently holds  a couple of other titles — the mountain biking SouthernXC series winner and SouthernXC champion.  

Rosie told Times Sport: ‘My aim was to retain my title. The course was a mix of up and down and flat technical sections. The conditions held during the race, after the heavy rain the previous night and then light rain during the race, made the course very muddy and slippery and the climbing was hard to get a grip on the wet grass.’

Her efforts and training paid off, resulting in the win and retaining the South West Cyclo-Cross Champion title. Next year Rosie will be competing in both the Southern series and National mountain bike XC series and hopes to improve on her current ranking of seventh in the UK. 

Rosie said she had had excellent support from her school, parents and her coaches.

‘I would not be able to compete at this level without this support, I am very grateful,’ she said.