The Prudential RideLondon weekend, despite some dramatic weather, saw not only in excess of 20,000 amateur cyclists take on the Surrey 100 (making it the biggest sportive ever staged in the UK) but also incredible success for the British contingent in the professional events.
On Saturday Italy’s Giorgia Bronzini hit a turn of speed in the closing metres to beat Marianne Vos in the RideLondon Grand Prix – the 1.3mile lap race around St James’ Park – with Olympic silver medallist Lizzie Armitstead in third. An extraordinary seven of the top ten places in the event went to British riders with Eileen Roe and Olympic gold medallist Laura Trott finishing in fourth and fifth respectively.
British success continued on Sunday with the RideLondon Classic 100-mile Surrey to London race, which saw Adam Blythe win in a sprint finish ahead of Ben Swift. The final 30km witnessed the lead pack reduced from a dozen riders to just 5 in a highly tactical game that former road world champion Philippe Gilbert looked to already have in the bag on a number of occasions; but with the final turn into The Mall it was relative unknown Blythe who still had the legs to get to the line. Bradley Wiggins, making only his second competitive appearance in London since the 2012 Olympics, finished down in 30th place.
Further details and full results for Prudential RideLondon at prudentialridelondon.co.uk