The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames played host to the road cycling events at the London 2012 Olympics. The men and women’s road races took place on 28th and 29th July and were watched by thousands. The race passed through Kingston en route to the Mall, crossing the Bridge and climbing Kingston Hill to Richmond Park. Lizzie Armistead won the silver medal in the women’s race for Team GB.
The men and women’s time trials took place on 1st August. The route went along Portsmouth Road, through the Market Place and over the Bridge towards the finish at Hampton Court. Bradley Wiggins famously won the men’s event, just weeks after winning the Tour de France. He lauded the Kingston crowds saying:
‘Going through Kingston at the end there, the noise was amazing’
The Olympic route was tested in 2011 with the London-Surrey Classic race, which was won by Britain’s Mark Cavendish. Since the Olympics, the London-Surrey Classic professional race has taken place every year and now forms part of the Ride-London weekend. Ride-London gives thousands of amateur cyclists the chance to ride the course after the professionals. This year it takes place on Sunday August 2nd and passes through Kingston, so if you can, go and show your support!