With supporters crammed all along both sides of the 1.3 mile loop around St James's Park the carnival atmosphere evoked memories of the road cycling events during London 2012.

Unlike in the rain-ravaged women's Olympic road race, the perfect weather added to the spectacle this time around, and personnel changes resulted only in more British victory - and this time for Trott, winner of gold medals in the team pursuit and omnium at London 2012.

"I came here to do a job and I really felt that it was my event," said a smiley-as-ever champion.

"It's such a great race on the anniversary of our Olympic qualification.

"Dani [King's] lead-out was fantastic and I couldn't have asked for anything more – it was an amazing job by all the team."


With Britain's more established road names absent, it was the Olympic team pursuit winning track stars Trott, Dani King and Joanna Rowsell who provided the headline entries.

The trio duly worked perfectly together once again and this time for their Wiggle Honda professional road racing team.

A 20-strong pack formed early in the multi-lap criterium race and King and Rowsell did much of the work to control the race and avoid any breakaway's developing.

The crowds may have been smaller than those inundating Surrey and London last summer but their numbers grew despite a start which was delayed due to an injury in the previous race.

Three intermediate sprints at intervals during the 45 minute contest ensured the excitement levels never dwindled and, with the short length of each lap ensuring that there was virtually always a rider in sight, there was plenty to hold the spectators attention.

As the final lap arrived the crowd seemed just as loud as ever as they roared home golden girl Trott.

As at London 2012, the 21-year-old duly delivered and after a superb lead-out by King, she held off domestic rival Hannah Barnes to win by a bike-length, with Australian Loren Rowney defeating King for third.

Laura Trott on the winners podium alongside Hannah Barnes (left) and Loren Rowney





The women's race was the highlight of an evening of criterium style races which also involved youth and Paralympic races,

Indeed, as at last weekend's Sainsbury's Anniversary Games, the Paralympic disciplines proved a superb complement to the able-bodied versions after a thrilling men's handcycling race was won in a sprint-finish by Austrian Walter Ablinger after half-an-hour of frantic peddaling.

Brian Alldis of Great Britain finished one second behind as Switzerland's 14-time Paralympic champion Heinz Frei held on for third.

Competing alongside the men, Germany's Andre Eskau finished as first women just six seconds behind.

The hand-cycle race finished in a thrilling sprint finish won by Austrian Walter Ablinger





Yet, as well as the best of Olympic and Paralympic action, the weekend is also about cycling at a recreational level, and the festival got off to the perfect start when 50,000 amateur's took advantage of eight miles of roads in free-cycle world record attempt.

That world record - for the longest single parade of bikes - was narrowly missed and remains at 916, yet the attempt was more about enjoyment and participation and in that regards was a huge success.

England's 2003 Rugby World Cup winning captain Martin Johnson started the procession as cyclists of all ages showed that a sport still flourishing with Olympic euphoria is certainly suitable for all.

"Last year it was our Olympic and Paralympic heroes taking to the capital's roads," said London Mayor Boris Johnson.

"This year a phenomenal 50,000 amateur cyclists, young and old, have followed in their tracks through central London.

"The enthusiasm of everyone who took part is spurring me on for the ride of my life tomorrow in the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100."

England's Rugby World Cup winning captain Martin Johnson began the procession to commence the recreational part of the day









Johnson will indeed attempt to lead an estimated 20,000 competitiors on the 100 mile course on Sunday morning (August 4.)

The weekend will then conclude with the Prudential RideLondon Grand Prix for elite men in the afternoon as Britain's competitors - lead by Team Sky rider Ben Swift - will hope to continue the success of Trott as the London 2012 Olympic bandwagon rolls ever further.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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