Cycling fans will have at least one more opportunity to see Ongar’s Mark Cavendish in action in London this year after it was confirmed he will lead the Omega Pharma-Quick Step team at the PridentialRideLondon-Surrey Classic on Sunday, August 10.

One of the world’s great sprinters, Cavendish is due to race through west Essex and East London on Monday on Stage Three of the Tour de France and he will be back in the capital later in the summer for the 200km race, consisting of 25 teams of six riders.

“I’m excited to be riding in the PrudentialRideLondon-Surrey Classic for the first time this year,” the 25-time Tour de France stage winner said. “It’s another opportunity to race in front of the amazing crowds in Britain. Coming after the Tour de France and Commonwealth Games, more and more people are going to be at the roadside cheering us on and wanting to be part of the weekend.”

The status of the race has been upgraded to highest level ‘Hors Categorie’ status by the sport’s governing body, the UCI, this year and it will see the riders head out of London to complete circuits of a challenging loop in Surrey before the race finishes on The Mall.