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August 2011

Cycle race event a success

Denise Saliagopoulos, Surrey County Council's cabinet member for community services and the 2012 Games, has branded Sunday's London-Surrey Cycle Classic a "great success".

The county council has hailed Sunday’s London-Surrey Cycle Classic as a success.

Around 140 riders from 21 national teams competed in the 87-mile event, which was a dress rehearsal for next year’s Olympic men’s and women’s road races.

Tens of thousands of people lined the race route as cyclists passed through such areas as East and West Molesey, Walton, Weybridge, Oxshott, Esher and Thames Ditton.

Denise Saliagopoulos is Surrey County Council’s cabinet member for community services and the 2012 Games.

“The event was a great success and it was wonderful to see many thousands of people come out and enjoy an amazing experience,” she said.

The county council closed around 350 roads across Surrey during Sunday’s race.

The route through East and West Molesey, Walton and Weybridge was shut at around 6am.

The route through Oxshott, Esher and Thames Ditton, meanwhile, was closed at approximately 6.15am.

All roads were reopened by 2pm.

Surrey Police officers provided support to the 4,800 marshals, stewards and volunteers on duty at the event.

“It was an important part of our preparations to make sure the real thing goes off without a glitch and I’m delighted it went so smoothly, with all road closures lifted by around 2pm,” said Cllr Saliagopoulos.

“An event on this scale takes a great deal of hard work and all our partners, particularly Surrey Police and the borough and district councils, did an excellent job of making it run so well.

“Some of the world’s finest cyclists and best national teams powered their way along nearly 50 miles of Surrey’s roads and gave us a thrilling glimpse of what’s in store next year.

“The racing was spectacular and it was made even more so by the backdrop of our breathtaking countryside.”

British cyclist Mark Cavendish, who secured the green jersey for best sprinter at last month’s Tour de France, won the race in three hours, 18 minutes and 11 seconds.

Italian cyclist Sacha Modolo came second, while Samuel Dumoulin of France was third.

“Mark’s win was a fantastic way to top it all off and now we look forward to welcoming the world to Surrey next year,” said Cllr Saliagopoulos.

“Those Olympic races will bring Surrey huge economic, sporting and cultural benefits and offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to watch history unfold on our doorstep for free.”

London Surrey Cycle Classic

London is preparing to welcome the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and the London-Surrey Cycle Classic road race on 14 August 2011 will be one of the most important test events.

The race will take place on closed roads along a 140km route which runs from central London to Surrey and back. It will be an exciting spectacle, but roads and transport, including access to Heathrow and the M25, will be severely affected on the day. For more information please visit http://www.tfl.gov.uk/gettingaround/20027.aspx