After having a break from the BMX World Cup circuit in 2013 and focussing on mountain biking and three world titles. It was a strange but refreshing feeling to be making a comeback on the scene. An added bonus to the weekend of racing saw the inclusion of an equal prize money payout for both the men and women by UK Sport, British Cycling and Manchester City Council. This brought a huge smile to my face seeing the progression of support for women in sport and positive steps towards gender equality. With lots of positive feedback I hope that this has set a precedent for not only the rest of the stops on the World Cup circuit but also for other sports around the globe.

There are multiple new rules and formats on the circuit this year that added to the excitement of the racing.

I qualified through the heats with the fastest lap times on Friday putting myself in a good mindset for Saturdays racing.

Some days as an athlete you find you are battling yourself rather than your competitors. I started practice and the quarterfinals on Saturday battling my emotions and my mind. Making multiple mistakes every lap. Taking myself away from the arena and refocussing my mindset and emotions I came back into the semi final ready to better my best and knowing that if I could overcome my mind and battling myself out there that I will win.

I set the fastest lap time with no mistakes in the semi final, placing me with first lane pick and on the inside lane for the final.

Again I channeled the energy and performed, putting together a great lap crossing the line with a huge smile on my face.

This is exactly why I love BMX, because winning is never easy and it still challenges me.

It was amazing to have my grandmother from Wales supporting me at the event and for her to celebrate the win with me.

The next stop is back on a plane to Australia for the Australian BMX National Champions and Oceania Continental Championships later in the month.