BURLEY-In-Wharfedale's Scott Thwaites is targeting a call-up for the Road World Championships in September and believes that competing in the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey Classic at the weekend has set him on the right track.

Thwaites has had a small break from competitive racing in recent weeks but was back representing Bora-Argon 18 in the 200km race on Sunday.

Prudential RideLondon is a two-day festival of cycling and the Classic allows elite riders such as Thwaites to duke it out on the closed streets of the English capital.

The 25-year-old finished 63rd, just over three minutes behind the winner Jean-Pierre Drucker of BMC Racing, but admits his main goal for the season is to be part of the British team at the World Championships in Richmond, Virginia in September.

“It was a nice day, good crowds again and the actual race itself is really good – nicely designed,” said Thwaites.

“It is nice to be back at home, racing on home soil and sort of a kick-start to the end of the season after a bit of a break through the summer.

“It’s always tough coming back after a long break and sometimes it takes you a few races to get going.

“My conditioning is where it needs to be for this time of the year, so hopefully I can start looking for some good results.

“I’m hoping to get Worlds selection – it’s a course that suits me more than some of the others we’ve had in the last few years.

“I’d really like to be part of the team that rides that and support whoever is the leader.”

The Classic was one of a number of events taking place over the weekend, including the Women’s Grand Prix, Youth Grand Prix and the RideLondon-Surrey 100.

Crowds packed the streets in support of all the riders, with each event finishing along the iconic Mall.

Bingley Grammar School pupil Sophie Thackray was one of the riders to compete in the Youth Girls Grand Prix and, after finishing 34th, the 15-year-old admits the experience is not one she will forget in a hurry.

“It is a mega experience to race on the streets of London and to come down the Mall like that is just incredible,” said Thackray.

“I never thought I would get the chance to do something like this when I started cycling but here I am and it's been brilliant.

“It's really cool to have the likes of Laura Trott here because you can sit and warm up on your rollers and watch them racing, which is just crazy.

“To know that you are racing after them is really special because you go out there and all the crowds are there waiting for you.”

* Prudential RideLondon is the world’s largest festival of cycling. Prudential is proud to support people’s ambitions. Visit www.pru.co.uk/ambitions