Adam Blythe admitted he left nothing on the table as he outsprinted fellow Brit Ben Swift to take victory at the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey Classic on Sunday.
The pair were part of a five-man breakaway heading into the closing stages of the 200km race around London and the Surrey countryside.
But it was 24-year-old Blythe who held his nerve, getting the jump on 2008 Olympian and close friend Swift to take victory and top spot on the podium.
Third went to France’s Julian Alaphilippe while Sir Bradley Wiggins, making only his second competitive appearance in London since his road race gold at London 2012, was 30th.
But the day belonged to Blythe who admitted it had been good to remind everyone what he was capable of.
“I just wanted to make sure I didn’t regret anything with the sprint starting late so I just wanted to go early and make sure I got everything out,” he said.
“The race got to a kilometer to go and I just thought ‘game on, I’ve got to go for it now.’
“I’ve come back to England to do racing and I’ve taken a step down from doing the pro tour and I just wanted to show that I’m still here and ready to mix with the big guys and I think I showed that there, so I couldn’t be happier.
“It’s hard to put into words what it really means. I think the emotion on my face says it all.”
Swift meanwhile insisted he could have no complaints after being pipped by his fellow Yorkshireman, adding his form bodes well for next month’s World Road Championships in Spain.
“I’ve known Adam since I was six years old. We have raced abroad together and have been best mates ever since so it was brilliant to get a one-two,” he said.
“I’m really happy because I’ve got goals later in the season and I’ve just come back off a long break.
“The World Championships is a bit of focus, the form is building slowly and it was nice to get that result here in those conditions, it shows good signs for the future”
© Sportsbeat 2014