10:32 PM
Shweta Pandey
London 2012 chairman Seb Coe with Michael Day, chief executive of Historic Royal Palaces, outside Hampton Court Palace where the Olympic time-trial events will start and finish Organisers are confident next month’s test event for the London 2012 road race will prove a hit with the public in what is set to be one of the toughest logistical exercises of the Games.
The London-Surrey Cycle Classic will take place over a 140-kilometre (87-mile) course, with some 148 riders from 26 different teams. The August 14 race starts and finishes at the Mall, winding out south-west across Putney Bridge, through Richmond Park and Hampton Court, then on into Surrey and back towards a hilly circuit around picturesque Box Hill and up to central London.
It is one of the few non-ticketed events for the Olympics, with thousands expected to line the route - although access to Zig Zag Road at Box Hill, which is a protected Site of Special Scientific Interest, will be limited - in anticipation of what could be a first gold for Britain through Tour de France racer Mark Cavendish on July 28 next year.
However, there will be a huge logistical operation to back up the competition.
Just like for 2012, the London-Surrey Classic will see many roads closed and parking restrictions in place for certain periods before and after the race, along with 87km of barriers and diversions of local bus services, although the District Line underground line will be fully operational.
Both London Organising Committee (LOGOC) and Transport for London are confident the event can run smoothly.
TfL managing director of surface transport Leon Daniels said: “This is a really exciting event and will attract a lot of spectators, which will be good news for business in the area because it will get an influx of people.
“We have worked very carefully to make sure all the local arrangements are put in place, giving people clear details of what the plans are well in advance, how best to see it, how best to avoid it and to advise people who are not interested in this race that this is not the day to be trying to drive across south-west London and into Surrey.”
Daniels added: “It is a huge logistical job. We have written directly and personally to the residents who are within 400m of the route in London and 100m in Surrey.
“There is a campaign with the media and on the internet which sets out the general area, and that is a zone where we are advising people that some journeys may be difficult by road, because of people going to and from the event, so travellers should plan ahead.
“We are working hard to make sure people are fully aware using all the channels we can, increasing in intensity as we get closer to race week itself.”
The London Olympics have certainly captured the imagination of the British public.
LOCOG cycling manager Simon Lillistone believes the road races offer a unique opportunity for spectators.
He said: “We are really hoping as well as giving the athletes a very credible race and testing a lot of the elements we are looking to test in our preparations, that we also use this as a tool to really start engaging people around road cycling.
“It is one of the few free events in London 2012, and we have the opportunity for thousands of people to engage with this on their doorstep, in the park along the route.
“It is a fantastic opportunity to see an Olympic event first-hand and hopefully link in with what London 2012 is here to do, really inspire young people.
“We are going to have some fantastic British athletes on the track, there is fantastic success with Mark Cavendish on the road at the Tour de France, and it will be a rare opportunity for the public to see these athletes up close and personal.”
The London-Surrey Cycle Classic will take place over a 140-kilometre (87-mile) course, with some 148 riders from 26 different teams. The August 14 race starts and finishes at the Mall, winding out south-west across Putney Bridge, through Richmond Park and Hampton Court, then on into Surrey and back towards a hilly circuit around picturesque Box Hill and up to central London.
It is one of the few non-ticketed events for the Olympics, with thousands expected to line the route - although access to Zig Zag Road at Box Hill, which is a protected Site of Special Scientific Interest, will be limited - in anticipation of what could be a first gold for Britain through Tour de France racer Mark Cavendish on July 28 next year.
However, there will be a huge logistical operation to back up the competition.
Just like for 2012, the London-Surrey Classic will see many roads closed and parking restrictions in place for certain periods before and after the race, along with 87km of barriers and diversions of local bus services, although the District Line underground line will be fully operational.
Both London Organising Committee (LOGOC) and Transport for London are confident the event can run smoothly.
TfL managing director of surface transport Leon Daniels said: “This is a really exciting event and will attract a lot of spectators, which will be good news for business in the area because it will get an influx of people.
“We have worked very carefully to make sure all the local arrangements are put in place, giving people clear details of what the plans are well in advance, how best to see it, how best to avoid it and to advise people who are not interested in this race that this is not the day to be trying to drive across south-west London and into Surrey.”
Daniels added: “It is a huge logistical job. We have written directly and personally to the residents who are within 400m of the route in London and 100m in Surrey.
“There is a campaign with the media and on the internet which sets out the general area, and that is a zone where we are advising people that some journeys may be difficult by road, because of people going to and from the event, so travellers should plan ahead.
“We are working hard to make sure people are fully aware using all the channels we can, increasing in intensity as we get closer to race week itself.”
The London Olympics have certainly captured the imagination of the British public.
LOCOG cycling manager Simon Lillistone believes the road races offer a unique opportunity for spectators.
He said: “We are really hoping as well as giving the athletes a very credible race and testing a lot of the elements we are looking to test in our preparations, that we also use this as a tool to really start engaging people around road cycling.
“It is one of the few free events in London 2012, and we have the opportunity for thousands of people to engage with this on their doorstep, in the park along the route.
“It is a fantastic opportunity to see an Olympic event first-hand and hopefully link in with what London 2012 is here to do, really inspire young people.
“We are going to have some fantastic British athletes on the track, there is fantastic success with Mark Cavendish on the road at the Tour de France, and it will be a rare opportunity for the public to see these athletes up close and personal.”
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