IN her first European Elite Long Distance Duathlon Championships in Venray, Holland on Sunday, Evesham's Michelle Parsons proved that her long awaited selection for the elite Great Britain Long Distance Duathlon squad was richly deserved

She finished in sixth place overall and second among her British counterparts.

The event, held annually by the Powerman organisation in this small Dutch town, is comprised of a 15 kilometre run then a 60 kilometre ride and a final 7.5 kilometre run.

Michelle, of Worcester Triathlon Club, competing in a field of 20 elite female athletes, including the current World Champion Ulrike Schwalbe, ran an exceptionally well-judged even pace, to complete the first 15km run in a time of 59.47, placing her eighth overall and only just over three minutes behind Schwalbe, leading the race.

With each lap of the four-lap bike course, she steadily worked her way up to sixth in her favourite discipline. and recorded a time of 1 hour, 39 minutes, 54 seconds, the third quickest female bike time of the day.

The 7.5km run was tough as the temperatures rose but Michelle held her form to finish in a total of 3 hours, 15 minutes, 15 seconds.

Michelle now awaits confirmation of her selection for the elite squad for the world long course Duathlon championships in Barcis, Italy, at the end of May.