Looking at nine-year-old Emily Teeton, you would struggle to believe she won gold at the Prudential RideLondon BMX Grand Prix on Friday.

With her blonde hair and angelic face Emily, who lives in Uxbridge, is not what many people would expect a BMX champion to look like.

Yet the competition at London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, part of the three-day cycling event with culminated in the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 on Sunday, is just the beginning for the Highfield Primary School pupil.

“The Prudential RideLondon is a really good experience, because I’ve got other big races coming up,” she said.

“I’ve got the British Championships in August and I’m going to be doing the nationals next year, because this is my first year as an expert.

“I haven’t been to the Brits or the nationals yet, but everyone in Great Britain will be there and you go up against some of the best riders - I’m aiming to at least make it into a semi or a final.”

Emily, who won the 9-10 girls class at the world’s greatest festival of cycling, joined Hayes Hawks BMX Club after her cousin took her to a taster session when she moved to West London.

But having initially taking her hobby steadily, she admits there’s nothing quite like the thrill of being on two wheels.

“The first races you’re just scared, but as you get into it you’re just ready to go and as soon as you’re out on the track you go as fast as you can,” she said.

“I’d recommend BMX to other people because it’s so fun, everyone’s really friendly and I enjoy it.

“You meet lots of people at events like this, you can be in the pen for just 15 minutes and before you know it you have eight new friends.”

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