The men's and women's Road Race are both a straight final. In each event all athletes start together, and the first to cross the finish line is the winner.
The Road Race starts on The Mall before the riders head south-west through the city. They then cross the River Thames at Putney Bridge and continue out through Richmond Park, Bushy Park and past Hampton Court Palace.
The Surrey section of the course incorporates several circuits of a challenging loop around Box Hill (nine for the men’s Road Race, two loops for the women’s), before the riders head north through Leatherhead, Esher, Kingston-upon-Thames, Richmond Park and back to The Mall for a dramatic finish.
Find out more about the London 2012 Road Race
View the Olympic Cycling Road Race route map
Find out more about the Men's Cycling Road Race and Women's Cycling Road Race competitions at the Olympic Games on the International Olympic Committee website.
