Prudential Ride London-Surrey 2014
Photo credit: Prudential Ride-London
It's been an epic weekend for cycling in London and Surrey. Here's our round-up of what happened and who won what!
Mayor of London Boris Johnson described the 2014 Prudential RideLondon festival of cycling as “a fantastic advert for cycling in the city” as the award-winning weekend came to a successful close yesterday evening.
More than 20,000 amateur cyclists defied the wind and rain that lashed southern England to finish the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 in central London, making it the biggest cycling sportive ever held in the UK.
On Saturday, 60,000 families, friends and fun-seeking pedallers had poured onto the closed roads of central London on Saturday for the Prudential RideLondon FreeCycle.
On Saturday evening, Italy’s Giorgia Bronzini produced a sprint finish of stunning speed to beat world and Olympic road race champion Marianne Vos in the Prudential RideLondon Grand Prix, ending a fabulous first day that had started with a Guinness World Record for the Prudential RideLondon Bike Bell Orchestra and 639 bell ringers.
Sunday saw Paralympic gold medalist Walter Ablinger continue a remarkable series of victories in the UK capital when he won the Prudential RideLondon HandCycle Classic 12 months after becoming the event’s first ever handcycle champion in last year’s criterium race. The Austrian left the world’s best riders floundering in his wake as he sped over the 15-mile course from Kingston upon Thames to central London in less than 40 minutes.
“I’m so happy to win again because that was a tough race,” said the victorious Ablinger after crossing the line in 39 minutes 19 seconds. “After the Paralympics in London and the world championships, London seems to be a good place for me.
“This is my third race here since the Paralympics and I’ve won them all. I wish I could race here every week. Perhaps I should emigrate here!”
A desire to raise money for charity drove Ian Rees to be first across the line at the end of the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 this morning, completing a journey of recovery for the 43-year-old Bristol-based diabetic who was inspired by watching last year’s event.
Twelve months ago the former pro stood leaning on his crutches beside The Mall watching the first ever Prudential RideLondon sportive and promised himself that he would lead the mass riders under the finish gantry in 2014 to raise money and the profile of diabetes research.
“I couldn’t do it last year because I broke my leg, but I watched it with people from the charity and told them that I would be first across the line this year to raise their profile,” said Rees, his mud-splattered face breaking into a smile of pure relief.
“Here I am a year on, and I did it. I can’t believe it. That was the hardest ride I’ve had since I was a pro in France in the 1990s.”
The whole weekend came to a thrilling conclusion on The Mall when national circuit race champion Adam Blythe beat fellow-Briton Ben Swift in a dramatic finish.
Blythe threw his arms in the air as he crossed the line, a roar of triumph breaking out from his mud-spattered face.
“It’s hard to say how much this means to me,” said Blythe afterwards. “But you could see how emotional it was as my face said it all.
“OK, it’s not like I won the worlds or anything, but this is very big race for a British rider to win, especially in this setting in front of the Queen’s house. I hope she was watching.”
“This weekend Prudential RideLondon has cemented its status as the world’s premier mass-participation cycling event,” concluded Johnson.
"From all the families and kids who’ve hopped on to the saddle, to the elite athletes and enthusiastic amateurs who’ve battled through driving rain, it’s been a fantastic advert for cycling and for our city.”
Surrey County Council Cabinet Member for Community Services Helyn Clack said: "I'm delighted that the wind and rain didn't quash the determination of nearly 21,000 cyclists to turn out for this year’s Prudential RideLondon-Surrey events.
"Watching Olympic hero Sir Bradley Wiggins ride through Surrey's stunning scenery and waves of avid amateurs tackle a route made even tougher by the weather was truly magnificent. I'm sure that all those who took part would join me in thanking the crowds who turned out to cheer them on.”
The ballot for next year’s Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 opens online on Monday 18 August 2014.
Next year’s Prudential RideLondon festival will be held on the weekend of Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 August 2015.
