A BOLTON triathlete hopes her start of the season is the start of things to come after finishing in the top in a competition in Wales.

Leah Peploe travelled down to Llanelli in Wales to compete in the Junior Gateway event – a qualification and rank race which decides which European races athletes will compete this season.

The talented Bolton Metro Swim squad member said: "I went in to the race feeling good and had tactics going in to the race however anything can happen in triathlon.

"I had a decent swim, however I got cut off to the leading swimmer which I wasn't happy with so I was swimming in no man's land.

"I tried to bridge the gap to the leading swimmer and then I managed to lead out of transition one with a 10-second gap to the rest of the field.

"We came together as a group of six on the bike and held the gap for the 20km bike section.

"It was a very technical course with three dead turns a lap and the wind was hitting you in the face on the way back.

"After finishing the five laps on the bike we went in to transition two."

Peploe insists the race did not get any easier for her.

She said: "I had a fumble with my shoe which meant a slow transition but I got out of transition two with the leading girls.

"It was two laps of 2.5 km and I felt great until I got to the far end of the course for the first dead turn when my legs just switched off.

"I was in fifth at the time and ended up finishing eighth.

"I am still really pleased as my season has been on hold due to injuries so I can't complain with how my race went.

"I am now hoping to be selected for a race in France which is July 17 which I'm really looking forward to.

"I am really happy with eighth as it was my first race of the season so it means things can only get better.

"I also hate excuses but suffering from a bad cold a leading in to the race wasn't ideal but you just have to get on with it."

Peploe also praised her Bolton-based sponsors V02 sportswear for their help so far this season.

She said: "I am provided with training kit and my own personalised racing suit which I really enjoyed designing.

"I would like to give a big thanks to the VO2 team as they have also given me free gym membership which I am truly thankful for."

Peploe is no stranger to the Your Sport supplement after we reported she was accepted onto the England Talent squad.

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