Nicola Juniper (Team Echelon-ROTOR) sprinted to elite women’s criterium victory at the London Nocturne.

Juniper, 32, beat Gabriella Shaw (Pearl Izumi Sports Tours International) with a powerful acceleration on the final straight after the two had gone clear early in the 30-minute race.

Juniper was a near-permanent presence at the front of the race from the very start, taking turns with in-form Katie Archibald (Pearl Izumi Sports Tour International) to set the pace.

Both earned gaps but quickly reeled each other in as they settled for a watching brief on the fast-paced circuit.

Having been in dominant form at the Matrix Fitness Grand Prix Series, Scottish ace Archibald was favourite to add to her criterium successes at Smithfield Market.

And she had looked to exert her dominance from the off as she moved straight to the front of the bunch and set a fierce pace – causing splits almost immediately.

Katie Curtis (Starley Primal) also joined in the pace-setting at the front, but with five laps to go Archibald misjudged one of the tight corners – hitting the barrier.

With Archibald out of contention, Juniper jumped clear of the bunch alone – though Shaw spotted the danger and closed her down as the two earned a sizable gap.

A large chasing group, led by Curtis and Amy Roberts (Wiggle-Honda), formed behind but Shaw and Juniper worked well to keep up their advantage as they took the bell lap.

Shaw led the way on the final lap, with Juniper happy to sit on the wheel as they rounded the final bend and the younger rider opened up her sprint.

But Juniper – who was narrowly beaten by Shaw at a domestic event earlier this season – kicked hard to quickly pass her.

And her acceleration proved to be perfectly timed, raising both arms in celebration as she sealed victory.

Curtis led the chasing group in, meanwhile, beating Grace Garner (RST Racing Team) and Roberts to the final podium place.

London Nocturne 2014: Rapha Elite Women’s Criterium – result

1) Nicola Juniper (GBR) – Team Echelon-ROTOR
2) Gabriella Shaw (GBR) – Pearl Izumi Sports Tours International
3) Katie Curtis (GBR) – Starley Primal Pro Cycling
4) Grace Garner (GBR) – RST Racing Team
5) Amy Roberts (GBR) – Wiggle-Honda
6) Eileen Roe (GBR) – Starley Primal Pro Cycling
7) Laura Greenhalgh (GBR) – Twickenham CC
8) Louise Mahe (GBR) – Mulebar Girl-Sigma Sport
9) Annasley Park (GBR) – RST Racing Team
10) Lydia Boylan (IRL) – Velosport Pasta Montegrappa