London Nocturne victory for Horton

Just two days after claiming his maiden Pearl Izumi Tour Series win in Canary Whary, the Sarnian powered to victory in the Schwalbe Elite Criterium at the eighth Jupiter London Nocturne on Saturday night at Smithfield Market.

'Wow, second win in two races! I can't believe it! Winning is infectious so it seems,' Horton tweeted.

Madison Genesis rider Horton spent the second half of the men's race in a group of four who kept a 10sec. gap over the peloton along with Felix English, Jimmy McCullum and Adam Duggleby.

They worked efficiently and quickly to maintain their lead, despite repeated responses from the peloton and as the lap count came down to two it became clear the leaders were fighting for the podium between themselves.

There was an enormous roar from the crowd as the final-lap bell sounded and the leading group flashed down the home straight.

Duggleby crashed three corners from the end as the leaders went through Smithfield Market. He tried to dust himself off and get back on his bike, however the peleton thrashed past him and he realised the podium was racing out of sight.

At the front Horton smashed his pedals to pieces on the back straight, perhaps realising that if it came down to a sprint English might be a better contender, and he held the five bike-length gap as he crossed the finish line, arms wide open in what was a tactically perfect race.

English finished second, McCullum third and Ed Clancy fourth, with other notable riders such as Tyler Farrar finishing well down the result sheet in 33rd.