NIKKI Juniper bounced back from an injury-hit 2017 season to score a hat-trick of race victories in this year’s OVO Energy Tour Series.

The 36-year-old rider from Malvern underwent three major operations on her collarbone last year after shattering it in a crash.

But Juniper has come back fighting in 2018 as she recorded wins in Aberdeen and Durham before securing top spot in the final round in Salisbury.

She won the women’s individual race by just 0.141 seconds while claiming the sprinter's jersey.

“To win the last round was special,” Juniper said.

“Last season was pretty much wiped out as I broke my collarbone in April and had complications so I had to have three major operations.

“You either give up or push through and I decided that I didn’t want to end my cycling career like that.

“I had a few early season results which proved my form was pretty good and when I got that win in Aberdeen things just flowed from there.”

Juniper races for Malvern-based NJC-Biemme-Echelon which is managed by her partner Nick Yarworth and is sponsored by Echelon Cycles from Pershore.

She also tops the standings in the National Women’s Road Series after recently finishing third in Melton Mowbray.