STROUD'S Gwen Kinsey returned home with a surprise victory after a great race at the Oulton Park Duathlon.

Competing in the Sprint Distance, Kinsey drew on her experience in pace judgement and tactics to clinch the win in the final stages of the event by just five seconds.

The first phase (a 4.3km run) left Kinsey in second. She had a quick transition and rode the first lap of the 21.6km bike section on her own.

During the second lap she was caught by two other women and managed to “draft” effectively off one of them. This was a draft-legal event which means that riders can leave a small gap between them and the cyclist in front thereby gaining from reduced wind resistance.

Accelerating on the last lap of the bike, Kinsey entered transition in second place and caught sight of the leader who was 16 seconds ahead.

Gwen said: “Initially the gap looked too big to catch but as the second 4.3km run progressed I realised it might be possible to overhaul the leader so worked really hard to do so. Once I took the lead with 500m remaining it was a case of powering it to the finish line to avoid getting caught in a sprint.

"I am delighted to win and this has secured my spot to represent GB at the World Duathlon Championships in Denmark in July. The event is a multi-sport festival and I am also racing in the Aquathlon event (1000m swim & 5km run) at the same championship, joining my husband Sean who has qualified already.”

Generously supported by local businesses The Bike Works, 5 Valleys Physiotherapy, The Fifth Dimension and Gyles Allen Hairdressers Gwen is racing again on 6th May at the Cotswold Super Sprint Triathlon.

She trains under the expert guidance of coach Chris Frapwell, as part of Stroud & District Athletics Club.

Kinsey also posted a personal best time on the bike and the fastest female runner across all age groups at the Cotswold Super Sprint Triathlon

Kinsey's next race takes place May 20, at the World Sprint Triathlon Qualifier for 2019 at Eton Dorney (750m swim 20km bike 5km run).