Kathryn McClelland followed the track marks of Britain's Olympians as she lifted a national under-16s title.

The 14-year-old from Upper Beeding was the lone female as she guested for Herne Hill in the National Inter Track League Under-16s Championship at Manchester's Velodrome.

The venue was where gold medallist Jason Queally and other British Games cycling aces like Chris Boardman prepared for Sydney.

Steyning Grammar School pupil Kathryn, a member of Worthing Excelsior, competed in the four-racer Italian pursuit, a similar event to the one in which Britain claimed a silver medal Down Under.

She also took part in sprint and scratch races, gaining extra points because she was competing as an under-14s rider.

Her father Vernon, a coach, said: "She was pretty excited to be part of a national success, particularly as it was at a track used by our Olympic stars. She has been into the Olympics and what our cyclists have done is inspiring enough, but to follow in their tyre tracks is also a huge motivation.

"We tried to raise a team from Sussex to compete but couldn't get enough, so when she got the invite to race for Herne Hill she was delighted. She knows the club very well through meeting memembers at competions.

Kathryn is also a triathlete and athlete.