Weybridge cyclist Ann Marshall has completed the gruelling La Marmotte event, achieving silver standard after one of the toughest challenges of her career.

The event is billed as the toughest one-day amateur cycling contest in the world, covering 174km and climbing 17,000ft over the most mountainous peaks in the French Alps.

Marshall said: “I was pushing for a gold standard time of 10 hours, 32 minutes and gave it everything.

“Everyone around me was dropping like flies, the crowds loved it and really cheered me on as I hurtled towards the line.

“The conditions were very hot, with thunderstorms and torrential rain.

“In the end, I missed out on the gold standard by just two minutes, but am delighted with my silver medal.”

Some 7,000 cyclists started the event and 5,189 finished, with Marshall one of 149 women.