RideLondon Classique cyclists cheered on in Colchester

A total of 109 women riders pedalled up East Hill towards the finish line at the foot of High Street as stage one of the RideLondon Classique race concluded on Friday.

The testing ride took the cyclists, across 19 teams, on a picturesque 146.4km route from Saffron Walden and through Radwinter, Finchingfield and Dedham before finishing in Colchester.

Crowd - supporters lined East Hill (Image: Newsquest)

Great effort - Ken Campbell said he cycled from Wormingford to Colchester to catch the finish (Image: Newsquest)

Watching on - keen cyclist Justin took his place at the finish line (Image: Newsquest)

It was enjoyed by huge crowds who turned out en-masse to cheers the riders on in the glorious sunshine.

The second stage will start and end in Maldon on Saturday, circling Abberton Reservoir, before the final stage in the City of London and Westminster on Sunday.

The first stage was won by Dutch pro Charlotte Kool, with Clara Copponi and Brit Elizabeth Deignan following in second and third place respectively.

Gruelling - the second group race to the finish line (Image: Ken Wallace)

Loving it - Colchester mayor and mayoress John and Susan Jowers (Image: Newsquest)

Support - crowds applaud the cyclists on the podium (Image: Newsquest)

Among the supporters cheering them on in East Hill was Ken Campbell, from Little Maplestead, who himself cycled from Wormingford to Colchester to catch the finish.

He said: “It is a great event and so nice to see so many people.”

Thousands of amateur riders will tour the Essex countryside during a separate RideLondon event on Sunday, starting and finishing in the capital.

Big moment - Charlotte Kool leads to win in East Hill (Image: Ken Wallace)

Cheering on - Colchester mayor John Jowers (Image: Newsquest)

Success - Clara Copponi, Charlotte Kool and Elizabeth Deignan (Image: Ken Wallace)

Safety - a police cavalcade (Image: Ken Wallace)