WILTSHIRE-BASED mountain biker Rosie Brown has taken one step closer to realising her dream of becoming an elite cross-country racer by signing for Cotswold Cycles RT of Moreton-in-Marsh.

Still only in her second year of racing, PE Teacher Rosie has already chalked up an impressive list of results.

She won the expert category of the National XC Series and the Southern XC Series, finished 14th in the National Cross Country MTB Championships, and 16th in the Elite Hadleigh Park International Cross Country race against some of the world’s best riders.

Rosie, 24, has ridden for her local cycling club, Westbury Wheelers since 2015, and her move to Cotswold Cycles RT gives her access to support from bicycle manufacturer Trek, and cycling clothing brand Bontrager. The team are also sponsored by WNT Total Tooling who run their own women’s road race team, Team WNT.

Rosie said: “I’m really excited to be riding for Cotswold Cycles RT and the opportunity to progress with the team. Their ethos really suits me and I love the fact they are a family of riders who support each other, and their community, in all aspects of riding and racing. This is something I am really looking forward to being a part of.”

Andrew Hutchings, owner of Cotswold Cycles, said: "Like Rosie, our team is still in its second year and has achieved some great results of its own this season including 26 top-10 finishes, 11 podiums, and one National title (Veteran National Marathon Champion). Rosie is a perfect fit for the team and we are proud to be able to support her development."

"Signing Rosie is our first step to developing a women's MTB team, and I hope in the near future we will be able to support a diverse team of both men and women across different categories."