DANI King admitted she was blown away as hordes of fans roared the Southampton racer down the home straight on The Mall in the inaugural Prudential RideLondon Women's Grand Prix.
And while it may have been Wiggle Honda teammate and fellow Olympic champion Laura Trott who claimed the crown in the pro-criterion race just inches ahead of Hannah Barnes, King will never forget the experience after finishing fourth in a spectacular sprint finish.
The 22-year-old 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 Trott and King's Olympic omnium-winning teammate Jo Rowsell - battled against Australian outfit Orice-AIS and the Barnes-led MG-Maxifuel squad.
King set the pace in the middle stages of the race before chasing down a breakaway trio and narrowly missing out on a podium finish.
“That was a quick race from the start but it was brilliant to be in the race,” said King.
“We stayed calm and worked well as a team and then when we went for the finish it was a perfect lead out at the end. I’m so glad Laura won.
“When you are working for a team, as we did, I was never going to go for the win. Laura shouted she was ready so I just gave it my all.
“When the team wins, the feeling is just as good as winning yourself.
“This is just the start for my season. After this I am going to Sweden for the time trial and road race and then I’ve got the track season.
“I’m feeling really hopeful of having a good season.”
The Grand Prix - which featured one of the strongest international field's assembled in the UK - was just one of the events held on a course passes several of London's iconic landmarks on Saturday, with races for junior riders and elite hand cyclists also taking place.
King's weekend wasn't finished, however, as she took to the roads again yesterday in the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100, riding 100 miles along the London 2012 Olympic road race route in aid of the charity Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research.
Prudential RideLondon took place on 3 & 4 August. If you’re inspired to ride, visit www.prudentialridelondon.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here