Organisers have confirmed a stellar field of 148 international athletes for the event including top US rider Tyler Farrar and British star Mark Cavendish (pictured).

The event, titled the London - Surrey Cycle Classic, will begin at 9am and is a 1.2 graded race which is 140 kilometres long.

It is being hailed as one of the most exciting and high profile of the London 2012 test events as it passes through six London boroughs, four royal parks and a looped route around Box Hill in Surrey.

Starting and finishing in The Mall in central London, the elite cyclists will race through the London boroughs of Westminster, Kensington, Chelsea, Hammersmith, Fulham, Wandsworth, Richmond and Kingston.

The race will also go through Elmbridge, Woking, Guildford, Mole Valley and Reigate and Banstead in Surrey.

The course includes two laps of the 15.5km Box Hill circuit.

"Planning for this event has been underway for some time and it will be an exciting day for us as the riders take to the road," said London 2012 Director of Sport Debbie Jevans.

"This race gives us a chance to test our logistics, the course itself, how we operate the competition as well as crowd and spectator management.

"Importantly it also provides a test of how our teams work together across multiple partners.

"This will inform our plans for 2012 and ensure we deliver an excellent event in 2012.

"This race also gives riders an opportunity to test the Olympic course and the public a chance to see some world-class sporting action for free a year ahead of the Games.

"We are very grateful to all our partners who have helped us deliver this event.

"The race is on many people's doorsteps and we advise that you watch the race locally."

Roads and public transport will be severely affected on the day and London 2012 have advised people to plan their travel for the day and avoid using roads if possible.

Numbers are restricted in the Box Hill/Zig Zag Road in Surrey where the main ascent of the course is and at The Mall.

There are, however, many other free vantage points along the route where spectators can go.

There are also other vantage points in the Box Hill area such as Donkey Green, Box Hill Village, Headley Heath, Mickleham, the Leatherhead by-pass and the A24.

Garrett Emmerson, Chief Operating Officer of Streets and Traffic at Transport for London (TfL), said: "The London – Surrey Cycle Classic Road Race will play an important role in ensuring transport and the Capital are fully prepared for the 2012 Games.

"London is used to hosting successful major events, and will do so again this August when some of the world's greatest cyclists battle it out through the streets of London and Surrey.

"However, there will be a major impact on road transport on the day, with many roads closed and we strongly advise people to plan their travel that weekend and avoid driving in southwest and central London if at all possible."

The event will come the day after the marathon swim Olympic test event which will take place at the Serpentine in Hyde Park tomorrow.

Contact the writer of this article at [email protected]


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