The cycling road race at the 2012 London Olympics will start and finish in front of Buckingham Palace.

Organisers unveiled the route, which will cut through central London before crossing the River Thames at Putney Bridge in Fulham and heading off on a loop of Surrey county.

The 250-kilometre (155-mile) men’s race will be held on 28 July, 2012, and feature 145 riders. The women’s race, held the following day, will have 67 riders competing over a 140-kilometre (87-mile) course.

A test event in London is being planned for August.