Surrey to host second Olympic event

Surrey is to host a second Olympic cycle race during the 2012 Games, the county council can reveal.

On 9 March 2011, The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) announced the men’s and women’s Time Trial cycling events will take place in Surrey with a section also passing through Kingston and Richmond.

The route starts and finishes at Hampton Court and passes near or through the Surrey communities of Thames Ditton, West Molesey, East Molesey, Cobham and Esher, among others.

Reactions

Dr Andrew Povey, Leader of Surrey County Council, said: “Surrey County Council has worked hard to help bring the Olympic Games to the county and I’m delighted we now have two events taking place here. Surrey residents will have the best view in the house when the world’s elite cyclists battle for glory on our doorsteps. It’s a thrilling prospect.”

Denise Saliagopoulos, Surrey County Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Services and the 2012 Games, said: “Watching sporting history unfold on Surrey’s roads is something we’ll remember for many years to come. As well as the financial benefits hosting these Olympic events will bring, I hope they will encourage more people to get involved in sport. It would be fantastic if watching the world’s best cyclists passing through Esher or Thames Ditton inspires the next generation of Olympic hopefuls.”

John O’Reilly, Leader of Elmbridge Borough Council said: “We very much welcome this announcement which will enable our residents to see a second premier international sporting event take place in the borough. Local businesses will also be able to benefit. We will be providing support to businesses over the coming months to assist them in benefiting from these Olympic opportunities.”

Two Cycling Events

The Time Trial is one of two road cycling events and will be contested individually against the clock over a distance of 44km for men and 29km for women. Riders set off at 90-second intervals and the rider with the quickest time of the day is the winner. The races will happen on day five of the Olympic Games on 1 August 2012.

This latest announcement comes just weeks after it was revealed Surrey is to play host to the men’s and women’s cycling road races during the opening weekend of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The road race will start and finish in London and take in about 130 miles of Surrey roads, passing through or near towns including Walton, Weybridge, Byfleet, West Horsley, Gomshall, Dorking, Leatherhead, Oxshott, Esher, East and West Molesey, as well as lapping Box Hill nine times.