HUNDREDS of cycling enthusiasts turned out at the Victoria Embankment last night for the first of this weekend's Experian Cycle Live events.
The event is a three-day festival of cycling culminating in the Great Notts Bike Ride on Sunday.
The festival kicked off with a Nottingham Grand Prix, with teams of elite riders going head to head, with a Youth Race and a Corporate Relay cycling race.
Nottingham-born Bryan Steel, who represented Team GB at four Olympic games between 1992 and 2004, was in attendance along with Councillor Jon Collins, leader of Nottingham City Council – a keen cyclist himself who rode for the Experian team in the Corporate Relay.
The winners of the Corporate Relay were the Nottingham Building Society and Raleigh, a joint team who cycle together at events throughout the year.
Making up the four-man team were James Rushton, of West Bridgford, Ben Hillsdon, from Beeston, Geoff Giddings, of Ilkeston and Phil Binch, from Lincoln.
After completing 18 laps in 45 and a half minutes, they fought off competition from 52 riders from 13 other teams to take first place ahead of Army Longdale Lightweights and Quora Ltd, who finished second and third respectively.
"It was absolutely fantastic," said Phil Binch. "We were worried at the start when the Longdale team flew ahead."
Ben Hillsdon was the new addition to the team, that retained the title they won last year. He said: "This team's a great bunch of lads. The others helped calm me down."
"This year was a lot more competitive than last," said James Rushton.
"Everyone had slightly different tactics, so we're really glad to have come out on top."
Former Olympian Bryan Steel said: "It's been a great event so far, and this is just the start.
"It's all about bringing people from the city together, old and young.
"Being a Nottingham lad, to see Nottingham people enjoying cycling on Nottingham roads is just amazing."
Councillor Jon Collins added: "This event is something we are looking to keep building over the years. Cycling is continuing to grow around th country, but Nottingham in particular is fast becoming a hub.
"It's the home of Raleigh after all and we have more people participating in the sport than ever before."
Experian Cycle Live continues over the weekend with the family orientated City Rides on Saturday and 25, 50 and 100 mile routes on Sunday's Great Notts Bike Ride.
All the events are centred around the Victoria Embankment, where there are a number of stalls, refreshments on sale and free activities.
