HOPE Factory Racing Team’s Adela Carter admits she has been surprised at her success this season having claimed second place in the Cyclo-cross National Trophy Series.

The 32-year-old finished second behind British international Amira Mellor despite only completing five of the six rounds.

And Carter said the results came as a welcome shock as she reflected on a fine year.

“I definitely did not expect to finish inside the top two,” said the Yorkshire-based rider.

“My aim at the start of the season was simply to complete a full round of the series so to finish second was a pleasant surprise.

“I work full time as a strength and conditioning coach so it is always a bit of a juggling act between work, training and competing.”

Carter took victory in round two of the series in Southampton and was second in the third meeting in her hometown of Durham as well as finishing as runner-up in Derby in the trophy finale.

She came home 25 points down on overall winner Mellor despite not finishing the Milton Keynes round which took place 24 hours after the Sheffield native finished in fifth spot in a World Cup race at the same venue.

Carter, who wants to remain in Hope colours, points to her south coast victory, alongside competing in Britain’s first World Cup race, as the season highlights.

She said: “I had raced at Southampton previously so I had a rough idea of how things might pan out and I obviously managed to get the win. I was really pleased with that and it was a good result.

“The World Cup event was fantastic though and the crowd was brilliant. I think it was around the 10,000 mark and to see so many people really enjoying themselves was fantastic for the sport. The whole atmosphere was brilliant and I hope it gave people the chance to see some real close racing.

“Hopefully people realise that Cyclo-cross is a great spectator sport. There is a lot of close action and there are crashes and mistakes and that is what people want to see.

“All the action is there and there was so much close competition at Milton Keynes from the elite men and women down to the under-23 and junior level.”

Carter also wants to see an annual World Cup round on these shores, and is championing the cause for bringing it to the north of England.

She added: “If there is any chance of bringing that World Cup event to the north of England next year then they should definitely do it.

“The appetite for the sport is massive up here and it would do wonders for Cyclo-cross.”

Carter is hoping to race for the Barnoldswick-based Hope team again next season and believes the support she has had from the business has played a key role in her success.

“I will be doing everything in my power to be racing for Hope again next winter,” she said.

“It is a dream come true riding for them. Their support has been unbelievable.

“The factory is an amazing place and the equipment is fantastic.

“And everyone on the team is really good to work with. I have really enjoyed riding for them.”