EVIE Richards rode to an impressive fifth-place finish in the women’s cross-country mountain biking event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The Malvern cyclist finished just 25 seconds outside of the medals after crossing the line in a time of 1 hour 29 minutes and 29 seconds.
Richards made a remarkable recovery from a concussion injury suffered during a World Cup event in Brazil at the start of May to race at the Games.
Richards said: “I am so happy. I finished with the biggest smile on my face.
“The concussion was really bad. I banged my head really badly and there were times when it was really scary.
“I didn’t think I was going to get better, and make it to Paris. Even at the World Cup five weeks ago, I was in tears after the race.
“I didn’t know how I was going to compete in five weeks, so to finish strong and with a smile on my face is amazing.
“I am really happy but I have put in a hell of a lot of work in the past five weeks and that shows today.
“I never thought I could go from 30th to fifth at the Olympic Games in such a close space of time.”
The 2021 world champion made a steady start and ended the first lap in ninth place and rose to seventh at the end of a lap five.
Richards eventually crossed the line in fifth, just 25 seconds behind bronze medal winner Jenny Rissveds from Sweden.
France’s Pauline Ferrand-Prevot won gold while American Haley Batten took silver.
Richards added: “It is a completely different course, but it always is at the OIympics.
“I had to be calm because it is so loose and it was easy to make small mistakes.
“It was so fast, so hot and so noisy you could not really think. I had a really clear plan of the race and I delivered that.
“I love it when I can play to my strengths. I didn’t want to be flagging at the end, I wanted to finish strong and show people I can push when I do attack.
“Another four years and hopefully a medal.”
