by Ric Summer

Croydon's Corrine Hall was blown away as hordes of fans roared the pro cyclist down the home straight on The Mall in the inaugural Prudential RideLondon Women's Grand Prix on Saturday.

And while it may have been double Olympic champion Laura Trott who claimed the crown in the pro-criterion race just inches ahead of Hannah Barnes, Hall was adamant she would never forget the experience after helping Matrix Fitness Racing Academy team-mate Harriet Owen to sixth place in the overall standings.

Hall, one of the strongest riders on the road in the UK in 2012 and a key support rider to junior world road race champion Lucy Garner, was part of a 90-plus strong field who thrilled fans as they raced a 1.3-mile loop around St James Park.

The 45-minute ride saw the lead change hand multiple times as leading teams Wiggle Honda - including Olympic stars Trott, Dani King and Jo Rowsell - battled against Australian outfit Orice-AIS and the Barnes-led MG-Maxifuel squad.

And Hall said she was thrilled to see Prudential RideLondon building on the London 2012 Olympics legacy of cycling in the UK.

"It was really fast but it’s good for all the pros to come over and for us to get stuck in with them, we had about four or five riders at the front," said the 22-year-old.

"The home straight with the crowd was amazing and it’s nice to be able to race with lots of people watching as we don’t normally have that over here.

"We have definitely got a lot more women racing now and it’s definitely on the up since the Olympics.

"The racing over here has definitely stepped up and it will be nice to really compete with the pros in the forthcoming years.

"We need to keep having races like this to keep the buzz of London 2012 going."

Hall finished 27 seconds down on winner Trott in 40th position after helping team-mate Owen into position to strike over the final 300-metre sprint.

But neither Owen or IG London Nocture winner Barnes could see off the challenge of Trott, who added the title to her multiple Olympic, world and European victories of the past 12 months.

"The whole event has been amazing," said a delighted Trott after the race.

"I’m so glad they’ve pulled it off and everyone has had a great time but I hope this does become an annual event so that it carries on the legacy of 2012.

"I did feel the pressure coming in, more for myself as I wanted to win so badly but I really enjoyed it, it was a good race.

"Cycling is getting bigger and bigger and I feel we are becoming a cycling nation. It’s just great that we can get young riders involved.

"The crowd was amazing, and the course suited me perfectly, left hand turns which I absolutely love and a massive long finishing straight."

Prudential RideLondon took place on 3 & 4 August. If you’re inspired to ride, visit prudentialridelondon.co.uk.