By JOHN GEOGHEGAN and CHRIS GREENWOOD



Taking up the tarmac: Competitors are spread across the entire width of the road along the London-Surrey route



The organisers had hoped it would be a seamless test run for the 2012 Olympics.



But the chaos that surrounded yesterday’s London-Surrey Cycle Classic may have given an unfortunate taste of what to expect next summer.



Much of London was left in gridlock by the bicycle race, and some furious drivers were even forced to abandon their cars.





Wide berth: Even The Mall in London had to be cordoned off to allow the cyclists through



Top cyclists rode from The Mall in central London to Box Hill in Surrey and back again - the exact same 87-mile route as the road race in the 2012 Olympics.



About 1,400 roads in London and Surrey were shut for most of the day, resulting in huge traffic build-ups.



Roads in central London were blocked off from 4am yesterday while those further out had closed at 8pm on Saturday. Many closures remained in place until 4pm yesterday.



Transport for London bosses said they warned residents and businesses that roads in the area would be ‘severely affected’.







Tourist attraction: The leading pack did draw some support from cycle fans as they hit the home straight down The Mall





Areas affected included Westminster, Chelsea, Fulham , Richmond, Hampton Court and parts of Surrey.



South west London, including Kingston and Putney, were among the worst-hit areas.

Motorists complained that journeys of just a few miles took up to two hours and in some cases were impossible to complete.



There were reports of tempers fraying around Earls Court when a wedding convoy realised their route was completely blocked by temporary road blocks.



One unnamed race steward in Putney High Street admitted the road closures had been ‘chaotic’ with staff left in the dark over when diversions would be lifted.







Pedal power: Competitors rode from The Mall in central London to Box Hill in Surrey and back again - the exact same 87-mile route as the road race in the 2012 Olympics





Takeover: About 1,400 roads in London and Surrey were shut for most of the day, resulting in huge traffic build-ups





The race passed through six London boroughs, four Royal Parks and out into Surrey before returning to central London and The Mall where Briton Mark Cavendish was first across the finishing line.



The event follows the route to be followed by the Olympic road cycling races, which take place over five days next summer, from Saturday, July 28, until Wednesday August 1.



Free to watch, it will include separate races for men and women plus time trials.





Mark Cavendish sprints fro the line in front of Buckhingham Palace and (right) celebrates his victory





Not exactly a walk in the park: Normally peaceful Richmond Park was on the cyclists' route





Support: Spectators in Headley, Surrey, were out in force. About 1,400 roads in London and Surrey were shut for most of the day, resulting in huge traffic build-ups







Sealed with a kiss: Cavendish celebrates his win with girlfriend Peta Todd



source: dailymail

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Golden triangle: London 2012 chairman Lord Coe holds the three-cornered torch aloft as he unveils the design today


Lord Coe forced to defend ticket allocation process

This is the golden torch that will be carried by the 8,000 runners on the London 2012 relay, it was announced today.

The Olympic Flame will burn from a curved triangular aluminium tube which has a lace-like mesh complete with 8,000 holes - one to represent each torchbearer.

The triangular shape of the torch also symbolises the three times that London has staged the Games - 1908, 1948 and 2012. This is a special feat in Olympic history.



New and old: The 2012 torch, left, contains 8,000 holes to represent every runner, and right, the 1948 versions from the last time London hosted the Games


The torch, which will carry the Olympic Flame to the London 2012 Games opening ceremony, has been created by design duo Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby.

London 2012 chairman Lord Coe said: 'The torch that carries the Olympic Flame during the Olympic Torch Relay is one of the most recognisable and significant symbols of an Olympic Games.

London 2012's Olympic torch relay will start on May 19 in Land's End and travel as far as the outer Hebrides.


Denise Lewis, who won the gold medal in the heptathlon at the 2000 Olympics in sydney, with London 2012 torch


An average of 110 people a day will take centre stage by carrying the Olympic Flame on its journey around the UK before it arrives at the Olympic Stadium on July 27 for the lighting of the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony, signifying the start of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

They won a competitive tender, run by London 2012 and the Design Council, to create the torch.



They described it as 'quite simply the best project going - to design an icon for the Games'.

In a statement they said: 'We've wanted to be involved since July 2005 when we were celebrating winning the bid with the rest of the UK.

'We have worked hard to develop a torch that celebrates the relay, and reflects the passion for London and the Olympic Games.

'We wanted to make the most of pioneering production technologies and to demonstrate the industrial excellence available in the UK - it's a torch for our time.





Lord Coe and Denise Lewis at St Pancras station in London for the launch of the torch design



Visits: The 8,000 runners will carry the torch across Britain taking in these major areas during the 70-day relay


source: dailymail