UP and coming city mountain biking outfit Shred Racing made their mark in the first round of the Soggy Bottom series at Newnham Park.

Alli Northcroft won the elite/expert female race from another outstanding city rider, Team Certini's Maddie Horton.

But it was in the male sport category race that Shred pulled out one of the astonishing results of the day.

Teenagers Harry Smith – the Southern Youth Champion – and James Birch finished first and second, respectively.

Third place was taken by Martin Lenney from the Springstarter.com team, who was representing Cornwall.

Shred spokeswoman Lisa Marchetti said the team was delighted with its performance at the event, which carries with it national ranking points.

And she paid tribute to the team's two teenagers, Smith and Birch.

Marchetti said: "The two boys are only 16 and they've done really well.

"If they get a bit more training, they could be even better."

More than 300 riders took part in the first round of the series, which is run as a competition between riders from Devon, Cornwall and Somerset.

Somerset hit back in the elite/expert male race, finishing in the top two places.

But Team Certini's Russell Turner also did well to finish third in the event.

Jane Cann from the CF3 team completed a Devon shut-out of the three podium places in the elite/expert female race by finishing third.

Shred Racing's Northcott said: "It feels great that I've been able to carry my form across from what's been a tough summer season to win the Female Elite category at the Soggies.

"I've been really lucky to have a strong team to support me and I'm pretty stoked to have beaten Maddie Horton!

"Hopefully our performances on Sunday will put Plymouth on the map of top female mountain bike riders."

Event organiser, Martyn Salt, added: "The initial idea of the series was to have a low key, simple race for locals, but numbers have swelled due to the recent interest in cycling and Plymouth now hosts an event that attracts riders from across the UK."