Haringey teenager Kate Wootton is hoping her victory at Prudential RideLondon can spur her on to greater things in cycling – and has set her sights on the very top.

Wootton was victorious in the Youth Girls A Grand Prix on Friday, the first day of the Prudential RideLondon – the greatest cycling festival in the world.

And the 15-year-old admitted afterwards she did not think it would be her at the pinnacle of the podium, but was ecstatic with her performance as she chases her dream of turning professional.

“I’m really happy. When the sprint opened out, I didn’t think I had a chance, but I just moved out and it was really good,” said Wootton, a pupil at Dame Alice Owen’s School in Potters Bar.

“There were a lot of attacks throughout the race, I did a few and made sure I was well-positioned, but I was trying to save myself for the sprint.

“It was always going to end in a sprint here, and I didn’t think I was in the best position for it, but I managed to get it!

“When I saw the other people racing, I didn’t think it would be me, but I won so I’m thrilled.

“I really like this event because I like that it is in teams. We all wear special jerseys and the whole set up just feels really professional.

“It helps me for the future, too, for when I hopefully become a pro. That’s the big dream for me.”

Wootton trains at Lee Valley Youth Cycling Club, and as well as aiming to turn pro, she wants to eventually compete against the very best on the planet for the highest-profile prizes the sport has to offer.

And it could have all been very different, as cycling was not her first love.

“I’d love to cycle in the Olympics, and win Olympic gold or at the World Championships, and hopefully the Tour de France,” she said.

“I used to do a lot of ice skating when I was younger, but then a friend’s dad thought cycling would be good for me.

“I joined Lee Valley Youth Cycling Club and it started from there. I haven’t been cycling for that long, but I’m really enjoying it.

“It’s great to see so many people getting into cycling.”

*Nicola Adams OBE cycled with students and teachers from the educational charity Teach First at Prudential RideLondon as part of the PruGOals programme. For further information on PruGOals visit www.prugoals.co.uk.