Mark Cavendish (Etixx-QuickStep) is the first rider confirmed for this year’s Prudential RideLondon-Surrey Classic, which will start at Horse Guards Parade on Sunday August 2.
The former world champion missed out last year as a result of the injury sustained in his Tour de France crash in Harrogate.
But the Manx Missile will be among the riders hoping to follow Arnaud Demare and Adam Blythe’s victories on The Mall, in what will be the third iteration of the event on a weekend where 95,000 cyclists are expected to ride in the capital.
He said: “I can’t wait to ride this year. After only two years, this race is already an event every rider wants to win and you can’t beat racing in front of British crowds.
“After missing out in 2014 I was determined to ride in 2015.”
The Etixx-QuickStep man will join 149 other riders, from 25 teams, on the Horse Guards Parade startline – a change from the Olympic Park opening to the last two events.
The 200km route will now head out into the Surrey Hills, climbing Staple Lane and Leith Hill before three loops of the Dorking circuit which includes Ranmore Common – one more circuit than last year.
It was on the climb to Ranmore Common where the race was lit up by Sky and BMC Racing last year, before Blythe outsprinted Team Sky’s Ben Swift on The Mall.
Box Hill is also included, before the race returns to central London, via Kingston-upon-Thames, Wimbledon, Putney Bridge and Chelsea, for the traditional finish in front of Buckingham Palace.
Race director Mick Bennett said: “We’re delighted to have Mark Cavendish in this year’s field. He’s not just a great sprinter but he’s also a very good climber on this type of terrain and this route should suit him very well.
“The extra circuit of the climb to Ranmore Common that we’ve added to the route this year brings a whole new dimension to a great race. That’s where Team Sky and BMC shook up the race last year and I’m sure teams will do the same again this year.
“We are set for something very special on August 2.”
RideLondon organisers have also announced the 10th annual Brompton World Championships will take place during the weekend, as part of the RideLondon Grand Prix on Saturday August 1.
Event director Hugh Brasher added: “In just two years, Prudential RideLondon is now internationally recognised as the world’s greatest and largest festival of cycling and 95,000+ riders will cycle more than 3 million miles over the weekend of 1-2 August.
“It is all about inspiring a new generation of cyclists and riders such as Mark Cavendish will do that.”
