KINGSWINFORD cycling star Hannah Payton suffered a testing time when contesting the OVO Energy Women's Tour which attracted a world class field of 120 riders.

Representing the DROPS team, Hannah was forced to drop out early on the penultimate stage from Llandrindod to Builth Wells with stomach trouble.

Dad Kevin Payton, who is also Stourbridge Cycling Club chairman, said: "It was a real gruelling tour with some of the stages well over 100 miles.

"Friday's stage to Builth Wells contained some horrendous climbs and Hannah knew soon into the stage that she wasn't going to make it.

"She'd managed to hold on just about in the previous stages but the fact that 120 riders started out and only 60 to 70 finished shows just how tough the Women's Tour was.

"Hannah's preparations hadn't been helped when she was involved in an unpleasant crash while competing in the University Championships which took place in York about a month ago.

"Hannah, who was representing Birmingham University, was in a breakaway group of around half a dozen riders when she came down and slid down the road, taking all the skin off her leg in the process.

"She got back up and managed to finish in the bunch - but then went and got an infection in it."

Overall victory in the Women's Tour went to Lizzie Deignan and Hannah is likely to cross swords with her again in two week's time when they compete in the British National Road Race Championships which take place at Cromer in Norfolk.

Kevin Payton added: "Although the Women's Tour proved a tough event, it will put Hannah in good stead for Cromer. She managed to get over to Spain for some training so it should leave her in good shape."