"It wasn't my year," says Laura Trott after eighth in RideLondon GP (video)

Laura Trott, winner of the RideLondon Grand Prix in 2013, says she'll be back to try and win the race again after an eighth place finish this year

(Image credit: Andy Jones)

OLYMPIC champion Laura Trott admits it wasn't to be at this year's Prudential RideLondon Grand Prix but insists she'll be back for more next time around.

RideLondon is now in its third year and sees some of the world's best cyclists descend on the capital to battle it out on the iconic London streets.

Trott claimed the Grand Prix title two years ago but was pipped to the line by Georgia Bronzini last time out and came in fifth.

There was more disappointment for Trott this time around as victory went to Barbara Guarischi while Ale Cipollini duo Shelley Olds and Annalisa Cucinotta took second and third.

Trott meanwhile was back in eighth in a fast and aggressive race but says she was delighted to get the chance to compete on the course for the third year in a row.

“It was pretty full on. Obviously, it is only hour races so everybody just goes from the word go. It was a good race actually and I enjoyed it,” said Trott.

“I just tried to sit in and wait for the sprint but they were just going so fast at the end and I was just way too far back and I didn't have the legs to go around them.

“I think that's the best I could hope for. I've been doing a lot on the track and I didn't know how it was going to go and I just wasn't up there so to come away with a top-ten I was pretty pleased with.

“It is hard, I never really have the legs for a road race but this is different because it is a shorter race but it was still good for me.

Matrix Fitness are great, they basically let me do what I want and that makes me a lot more comfortable so I am pleased with the team.”

>>> The best tweets and photos from the RideLondon weekend

As well as the biggest names in cycling, Prudential RideLondon also sees thousands of amateur cycling enthusiasts take to the streets for the annual FreeCycle as well as Sunday's Surrey 100.

And while Trott might not have got the ideal result this year she says that seeing so many people on their bikes is a reward in itself.

“The whole weekend has been fantastic. For me this is what it is all about, getting as many people out on their bikes as possible and that is what we have here,” she added.

“It is a great race to be at; the crowds line the streets and chant your name so it's great.”

Prudential RideLondon is the world’s largest festival of cycling. Prudential is proud to support people’s ambitions. Visit www.pru.co.uk/ambitions

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Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.