LONDON 2012: Road races to be held on first weekend of the Games

By James Toney, Sportsbeat

LONDON 2012 organisers are hoping that Mark Cavendish and reigning Olympic champion Nicole Cooke will get Great Britain's medal hopes off to a flying start.

HOPING FOR REPEAT: Nicole Cooke (left) got Great Britain off to a flying start in Beijing and London 2012 organisers are hoping she will do the same four years on (Getty Images)

Locog's director of sport Debbie Jevans has confirmed the men's and women's road race will be staged on the opening two days of the Games - Saturday July 28 and Sunday July 29.

Although the fine details of the route are still being finalised with UCI, cycling's world governing body, it is expected the men's race will be 240km long and women's race 130km.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson has also got his wish with Locog confirming both races will be held at the weekend, to minimise traffic disruption in the city.

Both races will start on The Mall, with Buckingham Palace providing the iconic backdrop demanded by broadcasters. The peloton will then weave its way out of the city via well-heeled Kensington and Chelsea, making its way into Surrey, past Hampton Court Palace on the River Thames.

There will then be several loops of Box Hill in the Surrey Hills - a favourite of club cyclists across the capital - before the cyclists head back to the capital for a showpiece central London finish.

The provisional sports schedule, which has been drawn up in consultation with international federations and broadcasters, will be submitted to the International Olympic Committee in November, pending their final approval early next year.