London TT   

The Division 2 race, London TT, is the most well-known one day time trial race in the UK. Taking in many of the famous tourist attractions of the capital as well as a loop of Richmond Park, this race has been popular amongst OCM's Solo Men for many seasons now. Indeed, in Season 39 OCM organizers raised the status of this race by making it part of the Big Ben Achievement, along with the Division 1 sprinting Monument Norwich-Lo...

Read more

The Division 2 race, London TT, is the most well-known one day time trial race in the UK. Taking in many of the famous tourist attractions of the capital as well as a loop of Richmond Park, this race has been popular amongst OCM's Solo Men for many seasons now. Indeed, in Season 39 OCM organizers raised the status of this race by making it part of the Big Ben Achievement, along with the Division 1 sprinting Monument Norwich-London.

The race starts in Canary Wharf on the Isle of Dogs, home to many of the headquarters of large, multinational banks. In fact many of the banks vie to sponsor the race in a bid to outdo their competitors. This has led to lavish and expensive opening ceremonies where bankers and spectators may feast on caviar and champagne. Riders set off in 2 minute intervals under the imposing 50 floor skyscraper of One Canada Square and head off in the direction of Central London.

After a fast, flat opening 5km, riders hit The Embankment along the river Thames and pass by the City of London and St. Paul's Cathedral before heading up to Parliament square where the crowds will be gathering. They take a 90 degree right then left around Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament before continuing west on Millbank and past the Tate Gallery.

Riders continue for 10km along the Thames then cross over Putney Bridge where the first intermediate time check is taken. They now face a loop of Richmond Park, well known amongst local cyclists for Sunday club rides. Whilst by no means a big challenge, the 12km loop of the park still contains enough bumps along the way (including Sawyer's Hill) to disrupt the rhythm of the riders.

Riders exit via the West Gate and loop around Hampton Court Palace before meandering North in the direction of Isleworth, just outside Heathrow airport, where they take their final turn and go through the second Intermediate time check. The final 10km is flat and fast along the Great West Road as riders race the planes eastwards back to the city centre. The finish line is outside the Victoria & Albert Museum, not far from Harrods.

It is usually the powerful, strong timetriallers who will win the London TT. However, the small hills in Richmond Park have been known hurt some of the favourites in the past, who have lost time between the first and second checkpoints. Columbian timetrialling star Foncho Reto is a big fan of the race, taking 2 wins and 2 podiums.