The 34-year-old from Torrelavega had originally planned to retire at the end of 2011 but claims that he now believes the proposed course for London will suit his style and that he will carry on riding.

Freire won the world title in 1999, 2001 and 2004 and has competed in three Olympics - Sydney, Athens and Beijing - but has so far failed to win a medal.

The 240 kilometres (150 mile) men's road race in London is due start at The Mall and head past Buckingham Palace and Hyde Park, before going through Kensington, Chelsea and Fulham, out to Surrey with a couple of loops around Box Hill before returning into the city via the King's Road.

It is due to be held on July 28, the day after the Opening Ceremony.

Freire, who rides for Dutch team Rabobank, had an outstanding season in 2010 with victories in the Milano-Sanremo, Paris-Tours, two stage wins in both the Vuelta a Andalucia and the Vuelta al Pais Vasco plus victory in the Trofeo Calla Millor.

"I took two important victories in different Classics [Milan-San Remo and Paris-Tours] and, above all, I ended up wanting to continue," said.

Freire is unlikely to ride the Tour de France this season in order to prepare for the World Championships in Rudersdal, Denmark, in September where he also believes that the course will suit him.

He will also miss the Giro, making the Vuelta a España his likely only Grand Tour in 2011. 

But it is the prospect of competing at London in 2012 that really motivates him.

"Usually cyclists are always in a cycling environment when you go to a competition," said Freire.

"But when you are in the Olympics, you meet other athletes, and that is something you must experience."


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August 2010: Cycle course will showcase London - and maybe Cavendish
May 2010: Cycling route for London 2012 will start in Westminster and finish on The Mall
September 2009: Keith Bingham - An Olympic cycling road race round Windsor would be historic but is it practical?
September 2009: Johnson does not want London cycle route changed
September 2009: Exclusive - Cycling route for London 2012 set to be changed so it rivals Beijing