Support leader in bitter contest (5)

I believe the answer is:

brace

'support' is the definition.
(brace is a kind of support)

'leader in bitter contest' is the wordplay.
'leader in' indicates taking the first letters.
'contest' becomes 'race' (race is a kind of contest).
The first letter of 'bitter' is 'b'.
'b'+'race'='BRACE'

(Other definitions for brace that I've seen before include "Secure" , "Steady; pair" , "Strengthener; pair" , "Two - supporter" , "Teeth straightener" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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