RideLondon

[7] The RideLondon FreeCycle is an opportunity[clarification needed] for amateurs to cycle on closed roads in Central London, passing landmarks such as Buckingham Palace, the Bank of England, the Houses of Parliament and St. Paul's Cathedral.

[3][4] The RideLondon-Surrey Classic was a one-day international elite men's road cycling race, held on the Sunday of the RideLondon weekend between 2013 and 2019.

The event involved 550 riders racing around a central London circuit on folding bicycles, with a sprint finish on The Mall.

[citation needed] The origins of RideLondon can be traced back to when London was awarded the rights to stage the 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games.

The aim of the annual event is to include the world's top men, women and, hand cyclists racing as part of the international cycling calendar in order to challenge and inspire people from all backgrounds to get on two wheels.

The event's first title sponsor, Prudential, was announced in early 2013[12] by which time more than 55,000 people had signed up to be one of the first riders to participate in the inaugural RideLondon-Surrey 100.

This race is part of the Prudential RideLondon festival weekend with coverage to be broadcast live on BBC and international TV.

[citation needed] The RideLondon vision was to showcase the capital to nationwide and international audiences, generate economic benefit from participant and spectator expenditure and inspire more people to take up regular cycling.

[citation needed] In 2013, more than 16,000 people started the RideLondon-Surrey 100, more than 50,000 took part in RideLondon FreeCycle and over 1,000 volunteers helped run the event.

In response to the huge demand for the event, places were increased by 25 per cent in 2015, with more than 25,000 riders crossing the Start Line in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on 2 August.

This event featured in the RideLondon Grand Prix races in St James's Park and was the first time that the Brompton World Championship Final had been held in London.

The event opened with a Le Mans-style start as 500 smartly dressed competitors from around the world made a mad dash to unfold their bikes before setting off on the circuit.

[25] The race retained its World Tour status for 2023 after the organisers provided the UCI with evidence that stages would have the required live TV coverage.