Bethany Shriever admitted she was lost for words after securing a top-ten finish in a fantastic debut on the UCI BMX Supercross World Cup circuit.

And her stunning performance has earned the 16-year-old British Cycling Junior Academy rider from Finchingfield a call-up to the Great Britain team for the UCI BMX World Championships in Colombia next month.

Shriever continued her phenomenal start to the year as she stepped up to face some of the best BMX racing talent from around the world at the Supercross World Cup’s second round in Manchester.

The former Braintree Bullets BMX Club rider, who now rides for the TNT Club, almost reached the final in the elite women’s category but was edged into fifth place in her semi-final and missed progressing by the narrowest of margins as only the top four progressed from each semi.

However, she was delighted with her performance on such a big stage.

“It has been absolutely amazing,” said Shriever.

“I never knew I’d get this far.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better day really.

“In the semi-final, nearly qualifying – I’m just lost for words really.”

Her performance continued a superb start to the year for Shriever as she returns to top form after a couple of seasons that have been marred by injuries.

She opened the year with two first places in the opening two rounds of the British BMX Series last month and then followed that up with two podium placings in the junior women’s class as she headed to Zolder, in Belgium, for the first two rounds of the UEC BMX European Cup.

Her displays have now earned her a World Championship place and she will compete in the junior women’s event.

Great Britain Cycling Team head coach, Iain Dyer, said: “It’s been fantastic to see the progress that Bethany has made in such a short period of time and her selection for the world championships is well deserved and testament to all the hard work she has put in.”