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Ride London-Essex: Starting gun fires on elite race

News imageLauren Carter/BBC RideLondon Classique cyclistsLauren Carter/BBC
Friday's first stage took the elite riders through the Essex countryside, including Sible Hedingham, Mount Bures and Manningtree

Crowds have cheered on the first stage of the Ride London-Essex festivities.

A total of 109 elite women riders, across 19 teams, set off from Market Street in Saffron Walden to signal the start of the three-day RideLondon Classique race.

Friday's ride took the teams on a 146.4km-route (91 miles) through scenic Radwinter, Finchingfield and Dedham, before finishing in Colchester.

The race is part of the UCI Women's World Tour.

Dutch rider Charlotte Kool won the first stage for Team DSM.

Chloé Dygert however, of the US, snatched victory in the second stage for team WMNcycling on Saturday.

The second day's route started and finished in Maldon, taking riders to the Dedham Vale, to Little Baddow near Chelmsford, and circling round Abberton Reservoir.

The final stage takes place in the City of London and Westminster on Sunday.

Thousands of amateur riders will hit the road in a separate mass participation event on Sunday, starting and finishing in London, but once again taking riders through the Essex countryside.

News imageBob Martin/London Marathon Events Cyclists in Audley EndBob Martin/London Marathon Events
Friday's stage took in Audley End House, in Essex, and its stone bridge
News imageChloe Knott/London Marathon Events Charlotte Kool at the RideLondon Classique in ColchesterChloe Knott/London Marathon Events
Dutch rider Charlotte Kool won the first stage on Friday
News imageBob Martin/London Marathon Events Charlotte Kool, Clara Copponi and Lizzie Deignan at the Ride London ClassiqueBob Martin/London Marathon Events
(l-r) Lizzie Deignan, Charlotte Kool and Clara Copponi at the podium in Colchester
News imageTom Williams/BBC RideLondon Classique begins in Saffron WaldenTom Williams/BBC
The RideLondon Classique began in Saffron Walden
News imageLauren Carter/BBC Ann ThomsonLauren Carter/BBC
Ann Thomson, from Cambridge, said it was "absolutely wonderful" to see the cyclists off from Saffron Walden
News imageLauren Carter/BBC Scott Sunderland at Ride London in Saffron WaldenLauren Carter/BBC
Scott Sunderland was race director for the RideLondon Classique elite event
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