IT was a dream come true for Jayne Barnard as she stood in Guisborough with the peloton preparing to set off.

The East Cleveland Klondike GP, which saw 140 riders from the best cycling teams in the country converge for the first round of the HSBC UK Spring Cup Series, was her vision.

But as the riders prepared for the off for the race around more than a dozen towns and villages, Jayne’s mind was a whirlwind of thoughts.

“All the colours and bikes of the different teams, the colours of our Klondike GP, the British Racing Green and golden yellow, the bunting flapping in the breeze.

“Had enough of the delegates and people of East Cleveland seen the vision and was it what they wanted?

“ I wondered about the teams’ expectations, the people coming to watch. Was it going to meet their expectations, were the villages ready?” she said.

She needn’t have worried. The route was a blaze of colour, with people two and three deep in places. It was clear the event, funded through East Cleveland Villages BIG Local, had more than exceeded expectations.

“I was so happy, my face was burning with pride with my tears cooling it!” said Jayne.”I was asked what my measurement of success for the Klondike was, the simple answer was that ‘it happened’”

The feedback from townsfolk, the volunteers who helped out and the thousands of spectators who watched the racing had been fantastic.

“ Is it going to run again? What fun,” people had said. “Every village and town threw their arms open, offering refreshments and activities to all, showing the traditional East Cleveland spirit that we prided ourselves in.

“I have taken great joy looking back at all the videos and photos people have been uploading. The start and finish on Guisborough’s Westgate lent itself to a fantastic finale, everyone banging on the boards as the race got nearer and they came around the corner of the Town Hall.

“The atmosphere and suspense was just incredible.”

The riders, too, were full of praise when they managed to get their breath back.

“They were shattered and elated,” said Jayne. “It was an excellent start to the season and a very tough challenge with the hills and technical features of course.

“East Cleveland lends itself to road racing with the hills and descends, in fact it lends itself to most types of recreational activities with the Cleveland Way running through the centre and the woodland, moorland and Jurassic coastline.

“The riders were excited for the race for the following year and the newly opened secret of what a jewel East Cleveland is.”

The event has secured funding for another two years and Jayne hopes to make it even better.

“We will have a debrief with the safety groups, velo29, the council, police and traffic management company next week,” she said. “I can’t wait to hear from British Cycling about their thoughts of the event.

“There are big plans to make this race a fantastic addition to East Cleveland’s ambitious tourism strategy.

“It will move us forward and put us firmly back on the map as a place to come and explore.”