MILBURN'S Henrietta Colborne insists she is determined to make strides into elite cycling after mixing it with the best in the business at this year’s Prudential RideLondon Grand Prix.

Twelve months ago Colbourne helped the North West girls’ squad to third place in the Youth Grand Prix and watched as the likes of double Olympic champion Laura Trott competed in the elite race.

This time around, however, the Bonito Squandra Corse rider was on the same roads as Trott, Dani King and Katie Archibald and finished 72nd overall in this year’s Prudential RideLondon Grand Prix.

It was a significant step in the right direction for the youngster and she says the step up in competition is something she will have to get used to.

“It was a good race and really fast and it was a step up having the international riders so I really enjoyed it,” she said.

“It's a lot faster and harder than the Youth Grand Prix but it is all good experience because if you want to progress you have to ride those races.

“The step up from youth to junior is quite big because the longest race we do is longer now and the speed gets quicker.

“To go up against some of the best riders in the world is just unbelievable; it's so inspirational for me as a young rider.

“I think the goal now is to just keep progressing on the road and on the track and see where it takes me.

“It's a lot harder and faster so I’m really happy with how I did in the end.”

Prudential RideLondon is a two-day festival of cycling that not only sees the best riders in the business descend on London but also sees thousands of amateurs take to the closed streets of the capital.

And Colbourne says that she is honoured to be part of a sport that is in the midst of such a boom.

“It’s a really great event to be a part of and something that I have been looking forward to for a while,” she added.

“And to see so many people out and about on their bikes before the big races was really cool.

“It’s good as a cyclist to be part of a sport that is growing and the support we got during the race with thousands of people lining the streets was really special and was really exciting.”

PLEASE LEAVE IN FINAL PAR – Prudential RideLondon is the world’s largest festival of cycling. Prudential is proud to support people’s ambitions. Visit www.pru.co.uk/ambitions