It’s full steam ahead as planning gets underway for the London-Surrey Cycle Classic on Sunday August 14 – the dress rehearsal for next year’s Olympic road race.

Part of the London Prepares test event series, which also includes mountain biking at Hadleigh Farm, in Essex, on July 31, the London-Surrey Cycle Classic, one of only three UCI-sanctioned road races in the UK this year, will see 148 riders tackle 140km of the course.

And Transport for London has taken the first steps in planning for the event, writing to all residents and businesses on the route in London informing them of timings for road closures, parking restrictions and the outlining route.

“The route extends the Games into the south west of London and Surrey,” said London 2012 chairman Lord Sebastian Coe. “We are delighted to be bringing such high profile and exciting sporting events here in 2011 and 2012 particularly as road cycling is so popular.

“We are very appreciative of the support from south west London boroughs and our message to local residents is plan and prepare for August 14 this year. 

“Some roads across south west London will be closed for much of the day and we want to give residents and businesses as much notice as possible to plan their day.”

The Olympic road race course, announced in February and previewed by RoadCyclingUK, starts on The Mall before heading through Richmond Park, past Hampton Court Palace, venue for the time trial, before extending into Surrey.

The full 250km men’s Olympic road race will take in nine laps of a 15.5km Box Hill circuit, but the free-to-watch London-Surrey Cycle Classic will ride the iconic zig-zag climb just twice.

TfL Olympic director Mark Evers added: “All partners are fully focused on delivering a fantastic London 2012 Games and legacy for the capital and UK.

“Test events, such as the London-Surrey Cycle Classic on Sunday August 14, are vital to the ensure transport and the capital are fully prepared for the summer of 2012 and can keep London and the UK moving during the Games.

“London is used to hosting successful major events, and we will do so again and while we are confident we will meet the transport challenge posed by the Games.”

Spectator viewpoints

The Mall – start 09:00 and finish 12:10
Fulham – 09:05 and 12:05
Putney – 09:10 and 12:00
Richmond Park – 09:15 and 11:55
Richmond – 09:20
Bushy Park – 09:30
Hampton Court Palace – 09:35 and 11:40
Walton-on-Thames – 09:45
Ripley Village – 10:05
Gomshall – 10:25
Westcott – 10:30
Dorking – 10:35
Box Hill (restricted access likely) – between 10:40 and 11:20
Esher – 11:35
Kingston  upon Thames – 11:50

Note: Times are approximate and may be plus or minus 15 minutes