The peloton hits the capital today – no doubt all the car owners who won’t be able to drive through central London most of the day will be shaking their fists, but everyone else will be out in force!

Monday 7th July: Stage 3 – Cambridge to London, flat, 155km

Although it looks a touch lumpy, there’s nothing to write home about in this profile. It’s a short stage but the route packs a scenic punch, hitting many of London’s landmarks, from the Olympic Park to Westminster to the finish on The Mall in front of Buckingham Palace. It might be the start of the working week but the roadside will be packed today.

The likely bunch finish is potentially tricky. The riders will approach along the Embankment before swinging right in front of Big Ben and heading along Birdcage Walk under the flamme rouge towards Buck House, where the road swings round and doubles back on itself on to a 460-metre finishing straight along the Mall. It’s effectively a right-handed hairpin turn in three parts, with only one ideal line. And that could spell disaster if the peloton isn’t suitably strung out. Let’s hope they all get through safely.

Link: Official website

Header image: The Mall, 2012 Olympics