Olympian Breaks Collar Bone In London

4 August 2013, 12:28 | Updated: 4 August 2013, 12:34

Olympic gold medal winning cyclist Joanna Rowsell said she was "gutted" after breaking her collar bone during a race as part of a weekend described as the UK's largest festival of cycling in London.

The RideLondon weekend features four separate events designed to appeal to riders of all ages and abilities, with around 50,000 people taking part in a mass participation event that saw many of the capital's roads closed to traffic yesterday, and London mayor Boris Johnson among thousands of others taking part in a 100-mile road race today (Sunday August 4th).

Rowsell, who won gold in the team pursuit during last year's London 2012 Games, was competing in the women's criterium race in and around St James's Park last night when she was involved in a pile-up in the final stages of the event.

Writing on Twitter, she said: "Well this is far from ideal.. In hospital with a broken collar bone. Thank you for all the messages. I will bounce back!"

She added this morning: "Absolutely gutted to be missing the @RideLondon 100 today for @actionmedres. Massive good luck to everyone riding. Will be an amazing day.

"Thank you everyone for all your lovely messages. In pain this morning but doing ok and getting looked after :-)"

The Grand Prix event, which saw competitors race a circuit in and around the central London park, was won by Rowsell's teammate Laura Trott, who said afterwards: "This feels like my event, so I felt I had to win. I'm so glad I did."

She sent a message of support to Rowsell on Twitter, writing: "Sending @JoannaRowsell lots of love to #ihopeyourok #youramazing."

The Grand Prix also saw a contest between the world's best junior cyclists while the capital's Paralympic legacy was celebrated with a handcycle race.

Today's (Sunday 4th August)  RideLondon-Surrey 100 saw  around 20,000 cyclists taking part on a route that starts in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in east London - the scene of last year's Games - before taking them into the Surrey countryside.

Rugby World Cup winner Matt Dawson, two-time Olympic rowing champion James Cracknell, former Olympic champion sprint hurdler Sally Gunnell and actor Gary Kemp were among the famous faces taking part.

The event finishes on The Mall before 150 professional cyclists race in the inaugural Prudential RideLondon-Surrey Classic on a similar route.

Organisers hope the two-day festival will boost the number of active cyclists in the UK, attract hundreds of thousands of visitors to London and Surrey, and raise large amounts of money for charity.