A LEDBURY athlete had a successful outing at a triathlon in Malta.

Leslie Dalley finished sixth in his age group and 84th overall in the first round of the Xterra.

The Triathlon European Tour event consisted of a 1,500 metre ocean swim, a 30km off-road cycle and a 11km run.

Dalley was also the first British athlete home in his category.

"Being a volcanic and very rocky island, Xterra Malta was a very tough race," said Dalley.

"The bike leg was particularly technical and testing, with rocks and boulders making up a large percentage of the route.

"I had a comfortable ocean swim and run, but being an off road specialist, I made up lots of time.

"I'm aiming to represent GB once more, later in the summer on the mainland at Xterra Italy, in the beautiful town of Lago di Scanno.

"It's a spectacular venue, nestled in the mountains of Abruzzo, south of Rome.

"Then a very special memorial race, dedicated to Luca Dettori and T-Natura European Cup later in the year at Bidderosa National Park, Orosei, Sardinia in October."