Teenager Stephanie Twell fought back to overcome her senior rivals and claim victory at the Cross Internacional de Catalunya in Granollers.

A week after clinching the European cross country junior title in San Giorgio su Legnano, the 17-year-old became only the second non-African winner of the race over six-and-a-half kilometres on the outskirts of Barcelona.

The Aldershot athlete, a finalist in the 1,500metres at the World Junior Championships in Beijing, appeared to have blown her chance after surrendering a 50m lead to pre-race favourite Habtemariam Nebiat.

However, when the Eritrean athlete attacked for the finishing line in the last 500m, Twell found hidden reserves and claimed a four-second victory over Nebiat in 20minutes 37seconds with Miriam Ortiz Rivas of Spain third.

Coach Mick Woods said: "She has learned a massive lesson. She got excited when she built a 50metre lead with 2.5kilometres still to go.

"She began to struggle but she has a really good racing head on her shoulders and she didn't panic when Nebiat caught her and hit the front.

"To win against a quality field like this has been a huge experience for Steph."