Alice Barnes pleased with Commonwealth Games debut

Team England cyclist Alice Barnes has revealed that she was pleased with her performance in the women's cross-country event at the Commonwealth Games.

The 19-year-old finished fifth in the race with a time of 1:43:27 in her debut at the Games, and Barnes feels that the toughness of the event will stand her in good stead for the future.

She told reporters: "It feels great to finish. That was the biggest race of my life, I was so nervous going into it and that last lap was so hard but I had to grit my teeth.

"It is a really good course and since I rode it last year at the national championships they have added loads of technical sections, so it is fun.

"I didn't have any expectations, I was coming for the experience and so to ride well is a bonus for me."

Canada's Catharine Pendrel won the gold in the race in a time of 1:39:29.