Strong field announced for Olympic Test Event

Mark Cavendish, Tyler Farrar, Tom Boonen, Matt Goss and Sylvain Chavanel are among the big names down to compete in the London-Surrey Cycle Classic (August 14), the Olympic test event.

Games organiser LOCOG today released a provisional start sheet for the 23 teams, although many of the competing squad have also listed their reserves on this list.

Cavendish, as expected, will head up Team GB, and will be accompanied by four of Peter Kennaugh, Ben Swift, Ian Stannard, Alex Dowsett and Roger Hammond. Notably, Hammond is down to ride the Eneco Tour, which finishes on the same day as the test event.

Team England have listed Jeremy Hunt, Russell Downing, Chris Froome, Adam Blythe, Steve Cummings and Dan Lloyd as their potential starters.

Cav's HTC-Highroad team-mate Matt Goss will be backed by a strong Australian squad that is likely to include Stuart O'Grady, Jack Bobridge and Sky's Chris Sutton.

Chavanel will have controversial sprinter Romain Feillu for company, while Luca Paolini looks set to lead the Italian team.

Cycling Weekly also understands that highlights of the race may be shown on BBC a week after the event.

With such a strong field competing, this will only add to people's frustrations about LOCOG's decision to restrict access onto Box Hill for both the test event and next year's Olympic road race.

Related links

Box Hill declared limited access for Olympic road race

Olympic Road Race route officially revealed

Olympics road race route: Not on our Box Hill

CW's Box Hill pothole tour