Pickering's Market Street provided the finish to the Pro-Sprint Eliminator

Thousands of people turned out to see the Pro-Sprint Eliminator in Pickering, part of the UCI Mountain Bike Cross Country World Cup event.

Competition manager Martyn Salt told BBC Radio York: "Last year was the first one anywhere in the world.

"The UCI said it was so great, we'll make it part of the World Cup, so every World Cup now needs to do this. British Cycling and Pickering set the trend."

Australia's Paul Van Der Ploeg won the men's race from Swiss Thomas Litscher.

Another Swiss, Nathalie Schneitter, won the women's final, with Britain's rising star Annie Last in second place.

We're using major events like Dalby to showcase the sport and inspire a new generation of people British Cycling chief executive Ian Drake

"This has got world qualification, these riders will be scoring points to qualify for world ranking and also for the Olympic Games so this is now serious racing," Salt added.

"This is great fun, great entertainment and proper bike racing as well."

British Cycling chief executive Ian Drake said: "What you've got here is the world's best riders on the streets of Pickering and it's brilliant, and everyone's going to come away from here with a real buzz and excitement."

John Brown, environmental co-ordinator for Ryedale Council, added: "The Council's looking at these events to support local businesses and encourage active lifestyles."

The Town's mayor Joan Lovejoy presented the winners' medals: "It's been absolutely incredible, so exciting, so many people," she said.

"It's really important that we take the sport to every community," Drake added, "We're using major events like Dalby to showcase the sport and inspire a new generation of people."

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