RideLondon-Surrey Classic Cycling

Hello and welcome to The Mall. Thousands of cyclists have taken to

London over the past couple of days and we are now approaching the end

of the mass participation event, the London Surrey 100. 30,000 cyclists

set off from Olympic Park earlier this morning and roughly 20,000 of

them are back here on The Mall. The crowds have been magnificent and

they will be hanging around to enjoy the climax of the elite men's race

which features, among others, man of the moment, Chris Froome. With one

of his most beautiful wins in his career, head over the bars, leans

her every second of advantage, Chris Froome punches the air. Wow, this

Tour de France is turning into a mighty battle already. Banging on

the boards for Chris Froome, the leader of the Tour de France. Ooh,

Chris Froome is off his bike, running on Mont Ventoux! This is an

unprecedented situation and he could be losing serious time. I have

never, ever seen anything like this in my life. Chris Froome attacks and

Nairo Quintana is again losing time on Chris Froome. He ready has one

stage win, now he has two, and Chris Froome wins the time trial. Chris

Froome becomes the first Briton to retain the Tour de France title.

Froome wins his third Tour, sky when it for the fourth time, and what a

Tour de France it has been for Great Britain. How has it been since Paris

last weekend? Feels like it's been a bit of a whirlwind to be honest

since we finished up in Paris one week ago. I've had three nights at

home which has been great, just to recharge the batteries. And spend

some time with the family. At the same time I haven't really switched

off. And with Rio so close, that's been in the back of the mind. You

won the Tour in a slightly different way this year, didn't you? Do you

feel you have really added to your arsenal this year?

It was in a more complete way. Winning full example on the descent,

being there in the crosswinds on the flat stages with the likes of the

sprinters. Then the strength of the team was really a clear sign for

everyone this year that once I had got into the yellow jersey it was

going to be hard for the rivals to do anything to separate me from my

team-mates. The Tour de France clearly the focus every year, but

where does the Olympic Games fit into the grand scheme of things? It

is a big deal to me. I am extremely motivated. For the event in Rio,

more the time trial because it is the one effort that you can gauge

and you have the control over. Whereas the road race is going to be

more of a gamble. Are you thinking road race or time trial as your

priority, what are you focusing on? The time trial for me really is the

more realistic chance where I would be in for a shot of a medal. Having

said that, the Road course is an extremely tough one. I am yet to

perform in a one-day race, to get a big result in a one-day race. Great

to see you on British roads again, it has been a couple of years.

Hopefully you will be able to enjoy the race to a certain extent,

because there will be thousands and thousands of people out on the

roads. Just coming to see you. It is amazing, I cannot wait to get out

there. Given the Tour de France we just had, I think it is great to be

able to come over here and say thanks in a way to all the fans.

What are you looking for from today? Is it just a nice stretch between

the Tour de France and the Olympics? It is good to be able to open up

before we jump on the fly tomorrow morning to head to Rio. This will be

the last big hit before we fly over there. Yes, pretty competitive team

here so it would be good to try to fight for victory today. We wish you

every success. STUDIO: Three-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome,

I imagine he will get an enormous cheer when he comes down here later

on the The Mall. Michelle with us all weekend. We will hear her

thoughts in a moment but I should say the race is under already and we

have seen extraordinary scenes on the roads. At around 47 km, the

break of six riders of the road with the advantage, the race was paused,

apparently due to congestion ahead of the elite race. There was even

time during the break for the National road race champion Adam

Blythe to chat to David Millar. I am here without them, we have been

stopped in the middle of the race. 55 km, 47, sorry. Apparently we have

caught up with the RideLondon sportive. How are the riders doing?

Boonen, we are moving quickly, Team Sky setting a quick tempo, I think

they are looking to try something sooner than everyone thinks. Every I

can attach myself to that and stay intact. Everybody handling the stock

question my OK, this is like a normal training ride, brilliant.

Coffee stop 47 km, nice one. I hope you can hang on to the sky train.

And always with the selfie. Great to have you with us, Rachelle.

Extraordinary scenes. How disruptive is that for the peloton, Adam Blythe

looked relaxed but it is not ideal. Low if you was very relaxed but I

was in the sportive this morning and we ran out of water. I was so

hesitant to stop because I know terrible feeling you have when you

take. It can be nerve wracking for some of the athletes because they

can take off quickly and they can be nervous about feeling how long the

breakaway had to stand there while it was going away. It is quite

difficult to get held up like that mentally and physically. As time

moves on, congestion in Dorking, the sportive was blocking the road

ahead. However they are now underway and the break was allowed to get the

advantage back. In the main peloton Chris Froome of course. Very relaxed

as well. It has been quite a week. Absolutely. It would be a dream for

him to win here. Personally I do not think the course is difficult enough

but it is much more challenging than it looks on the profile. We have

seen he is in time trial form, there is a chance he could take this. Team

Sky perhaps might be riding for Ben Swift. It will be an interesting

race. Chris Froome three-time Tour de France winner but not the only

big-name hair. Let's hear what some of the other riders have to say

about the man himself. I never fully in the past has talked about Sky

being boring, but this year it is not like he has started doing new

things. -- big-name here. He has gone back to bike racing, that is

the best bit. He did not have much competition sadly but the way he has

been racing is actual bike racing, not just looking at the numbers

which we have seen Sky do in the past. This year to be nice to watch.

Chris is pretty amazing in GC in Grand Tours and once you get yellow

he never gives it away. This year it was the same again. Pretty strong

team behind him. Always doing good. We saw him running up Mont Ventoux,

just to be able to stay calm and call and Chris is that kind of guy,

it does not seem to faze him, he was not under any pressure even though

he was in the yellow jersey. He surprised a lot of people attacking

in the downhill and in the wind and in the echelons you have to gain

every second you can get. That is what he did. Overall the best time

trial specialist, best climber of the GC contenders, this result was

not really a surprise for anyone. He really dominated together with Team

Sky. It was something we were expecting. But I was really happy

for him that he won again. For me what makes him such a great GC rider

is his personality. He is still down-to-earth, the nicest guy you

will meet in the peloton. Every time he comes party says hello. He does

not think he is above you at all. To have the victories he has under his

belt and still be so down-to-earth and such a nice guy, but for me is

more than winning the Tour de France ten times. Just the way he goes

about his life he is such a normal guy and I was really happy for him

winning again this year. Some thoughts from the professional

peloton, about Chris Froome, a great British sporting heroine and I have

another one here, Dame Kelly Holmes, fresh from riding the 46. A lot of

the riders from the 100 finishing now but the 46 this year for those

perhaps a little bit intimidated by the hundred miles. There was this

option, that is what you did. Congratulations. Thank you, I loved

it. Probably one of the most enjoyable events I have done in such

a long time. Being free and closed roads. You enjoyed it so much am I

right in the day you have signed up next year for the 100. As usual I

have opened my mouth. I have been in the tenth doing too much celebrating

as well. But I loved it, because I am all about motivating and

inspiring people to do things and feel good and take risks. And have a

challenge. Today on the start line all of those people of different

ages and abilities, there for different reasons. The atmosphere

there, lots people nervous like me, this is the first time I have done

anything like this. The furthest I had done for was 29.5 miles.

Rachelle, what advice do you have, it is a step up from 46 miles in a

one-day race. I think if anybody can manage it. Yes, certainly from me

being a sprinter, following the Wales and being in the right bunch

and making the effort to bridge the gap to the bunch in front and make

sure you are always in a well working bunch, and as I experienced

today after being a professional for 15 years nutrition is so important

to get to the finish line. I was not able, I did not choose to drink in

the last half of the race because I did not want to stop. That awful

feeling of getting going again. I hit the wall big-time. Nutrition

obviously and I think being in the bunch is that are working well

together and flowing consistently. It is still to you to keep in shape,

you still love taking part. It is amazing that it is 12 years since we

saw you when the double gold in Athens. How much are you looking

forward to watching radio? Very much and from the British perspective we

have some great up and coming talent. My own event, Laura Muir

going for the British record. One the great British perspective, a

huge amount of funding continuing since 2012 and let's see some new

superstars and the old hats bringing it home again. Thank you very much,

we look forward to seeing you in the hundred next year. I will have to

train for it, I cannot like it any more. Still riders from the 100

coming in behind. -- blag. We know there has been a couple of quite

serious accidents in the sportive and our thoughts are with those who

have had to finish the race on the road, we wish them all the very

best. Now we can get across to the elite race, the London Surrey

Classic, Rachelle will be joining Simon in the commentary box to take

us through today's course. Budgeon thank you, Jill. The route today is

a familiar one as the event establishes itself and is based in

large part on the Olympic Games four years ago. The race heading

south-west through central London before crossing the Thames at

Chiswick. Richmond Park comes fairly early on in proceedings and we had

down to Kingston, bushy Park and over towards Hampton Corbridge as

well. Walton on Thames, Weybridge and Byfleet on the route as we head

into the Surrey Hills. The first loop sees the riders turning right

in talking over Leith Hill and then the yellow loop, three laps based

around Ranmore common. Then once up Box Hill and they begin the race

back into central London. Through Eshera, Kingston once more,

Wimbledon, up along the edge of the common and over Putney Bridge and

along the embankment into the heart of London once more. Taking a left

turn through Admiralty Arch into the finish here on The Mall. Some of the

riders we might want to keep an eye on this afternoon, Jempy Drucker,

number one, from BMC, he was the winner of the race last year.

Michael Matthews we saw talking about Chris Froome, stage winner in

the Tour de France this year, second in the World Championship last year.

Mat Hayman one of his team-mates, fellow Australian, winner of the

Paris-Roubaix this year. Adam Blythe we heard from at the top of the

programme, previous winner of this Classic. Chris Froome of course

fresh from his bird when in the Tour de France. Ian Stannard and Geraint

Thomas as well out of the Tour de France, Geraint Thomas the

Commonwealth Games champion. Ben Swift has twice done very well in

this event, and twice on the podium in the Milan-San Remo. Tom Boon,

four-time winner of the Paris-Roubaix, three Tour of

Flanders wins in his career and a former world champion. Matteo

Trentin, his team-mate from Etixx-Quick-Step, two-time stage

winner in the Tour de France. And finally from that list, Steve

Cummings of Boucher data, he took the stage in the Tour de France in

each of the past two years and of course he will be part of the Great

Britain team in the road race in the Olympic Games one week today.

That was the scene at the start of the race, red carpet out for the

cyclists. Chris Froome and his team-mates on the front row of the

grid. Just over 200, it is in length as they set out from horse Horse

Guards Parade, along Birdcage Walk, around St James's Park and making

their way out of London via Knightsbridge and out towards the

countryside, which is where they are now. And here we are now, first life

pictures with just under 113 kilometres still to go, a breakaway

group of six. Three minutes and 19 seconds is that gap. Matt Holmes of

Madison Genesis riding on the front in the black jersey with the orange

sleeves as we go back to the peloton. Christian Knees on the

front. The peloton riding through Dorking at the moment. The breakaway

group including Jim B Drucker, winner of the race last year,

Jonathan last, Dexter Gardias of Pedal Heaven, and Jonas Rickaert

from top sport. Good crowds in Dorking, very big crowds in Dorking.

Two-time British national champion alongside me for this one, Brian

Smith. Chance to say hello to Brian for the first time this afternoon.

Hello, Simon. Looks as though we will have a fantastic race. Fast

start with many riders trying to get away, and eventually a six strong

breakaway went four minutes down the road. At 47 kilometres we had the

neutralisation of the peloton but they are back up to speed again. It

does look to me as though Team Sky and Etixx-QuickStep want to try to

control things. And I tell you what, you interviewed Chris Froome

earlier, we could see him have a little bit of a pop today. I was

wondering whether he might just use it, but a training ride, but a

bridge between the Tour de France and the Olympic Games. He is looking

at the time trial but this is a massive event for him, and for

everybody here in London and out on the course in Surrey today. But I

think he's the perfect gentleman, he does not want to let his crowd down

and I think we will see him, whether it is in one of the client is going

up, whether it is to set up one of his team-mates but I think we will

see him towards the front, possibly up Box Hill, trying to help out one

of his team-mates to win. I don't think this course, especially the

last 50, does, will suit him much. As we know from the Tour de France,

he can pull off a few surprises but I think this will be too much. If

you are checking the pictures and wondering where they are, they are

just south of the centre of Dorking on the A24, not far from the bottom

of the climb of Box Hill. That would be a right-hand turn shortly. They

will go left because they are on the Ranmore common circuit. We have King

of the Mountains points up for grabs when they go up Ranmore hill. The

plan is that there will be three laps of this fairly small circuit

before they then go up Box Hill and then they will head back in towards

London. I have to mention what we saw at the start of the programme,

extraordinary scenes, riders sitting on the grass verges for just over 20

minutes because of a blockage in the road ahead. Yes, it's not often we

see it. Obviously with so many sporty riders out on the course,

obviously there had been a bit of a mishap in the sportive. The fast

start in the pro race, everything kind of court up. Nothing to do with

the organisers, just circumstances. And luckily the race had settled,

the six riders had gone away, the peloton had started to settle down

into chasing them back. I think most of them were glad of the rest. It

was a very fast start. It was aggressive racing. They were happy

they had a few minutes out. We saw pictures throughout and the peloton

did not seem to be stressed by it. The breakaway had formed. It has

added an extra 20 minutes to the shift of the riders but I don't

think they will be worried. The sun is out, they are racing, and they

will just crack on with this. Got ourselves a decent group here with a

former of winning riding for Lotto Soudal. Looks like a problem at the

back of the peloton. A crash has brought down a number of riders

across the road here including a couple from Team Rwanda who were

involved in this. I can see at least one of them on the right-hand side

on the grass verge. We've got two national team here today, Team

Rwanda is one of them, great to see them here, it's a great project. And

obviously team Great Britain. Two national teams in the 25 teams here

in the right to the Surrey Classic. Only six riders. You only need to

lose one or two at this early stage, it depletes the numbers very much.

Looks fairly decent sized crash, there, and let's hope everything is

OK. That's why we are seeing Team Sky at the front of the peloton,

they are trying to keep their riders out of trouble for small crashes

like that. They certainly weren't very keen to allow the breakaway to

go above about three minutes, four minutes, they just started to chip

in it a bit. It has been around the three minutes 15 seconds mark for a

while now. These six riders, at the back is Rickaert. Gardy as --

Gardias of Pedal Heaven. Matt Holmes of Madison Genesis, one of the

domestic -based professionals doing a turn on the front. Overall quite a

strong looking breakaway group. Obviously we have seen the start,

many of the viewers watching now haven't. It was a very fast start.

Groups going away all the time. With Drucker there as well, last year's

winner. To have last year's winner, this is a strong breakaway. It can

take about an hour, sometimes more, for the breakaway to establish

itself. It has established itself. The other groups going away, 12, ten

riders. Six is containable. If you want to try to win this race and

control it, you have to put riders on the front. Depleted teams means

we are going to have more aggressive racing and that is what it is all

about. Get the impression it will kick off from here on. Team Sky were

all gathered in a line a few moments ago at the front of the peloton, and

Etixx-QuickStep involved, with Tom Boonen, and with Trenton, both

fancying their chances. Team Sky would love to win this race. They

have come up short over the last couple of years. Can they get a

podium again, go one step further with this race? They have good

riders in their team, like Danny van Poppel. You must remember, if you

haven't read in the Tour de France, what have the riders been doing over

the last month of July? They've been doing altitude training camps.

Question marks over some of their form. But to have the reigning

champion, Jempy Drucker, in this group, shows that BMC are really up

for taking this race on. They won last year by taking it by the scruff

of the neck and again they have plenty of options. Nice to see some

of the domestic British teams in this breakaway. Matt Holmes, the

rider from Oxford, the Madison Genesis, at the front of this group

of six. And Dexter Gardias from Pedal Heaven. Nice to see them

getting involved. Gardias was 11th in the national championship earlier

this summer, and Holmes finished 19th overall in the Tour of

Yorkshire in the spring. And here we are Ranmore common, topped for the

first time. And the gap is coming down. The pressure slowly being

applied, primarily, I think, from Team Sky at the front of the main

field, although we haven't seen it for a minute or two. As Holmes leads

them over the top with Drucker right on his wheel. Rickaert sat on the

back all the way up the climb, there. Big difference in the size

and shape of these riders. The rider at the back, the 22-year-old Belgian

rider, from Topsport Vlaanderen, Jonas Rickaert. You look at Jonathan

Masters, only 64 kilograms, big difference when we come to like

this. Team Sky riding on the front,

Christian Knees is doing an awful lot of work. As we mentioned

earlier, so many people riding the 146 today. One of those who rode in

the 100 earlier on and finished some time ago, former Formula 1 driver

Mark Webber. Tim caught up with him Mark Webber safely home, we saw you

waving everybody off, how did you enjoy it? Absolutely mind blowing.

The courses and safe. Right around the course, the spirit of everyone,

everybody knows it is unique to do such a long-distance on closed

roads. I thoroughly enjoyed it, it was awesome. With a few mates we did

it together and took in the sites. I'll be shouting from the rooftops,

cracking event. You have really taken to cycling. Yeah, I don't

mind, it hasn't been a chore for me to stay fit for my main profession,

I have enjoyed doing that. Mind you, you have to keep the concentration

up. In the last hour there was an incident on the road, somebody went

down. Just shows you have got to concentrate. Not as much as 220 mph,

obviously. But still, I just think it is so great, considering what has

gone on round the world in the last few weeks, all these big events,

everybody just getting on and enjoying what we should be able to

do and it's just awesome. We were listening to you at the start saying

how Brits love to participate, and are doers, and join in, and we were

laughing because if anything the Australians are really the ones to

get out there to enjoy outdoor pursuits. They are, but we are also

a bit Fairweather, if it is windy or rainy we might put it off, whereas

you British, boom, you've signed up, and I like that. You really give it

a good go. And everybody was so chatty out there on the course, it

was great. Bit hot. But you must be happy with the time you managed? It

was all right. We had some changes early on with one of our team-mates

and got that sorted out. There's always some little dramas here and

there. But yeah, perfect temperature, no real wind, mega,

absolutely mega. You are going to be supporting Australia as the Olympics

gets underway, one of the big cycle events will be the team pursuit in

the velodrome. Everybody looking forward to perhaps a final between

Great Britain and Australia. Will you be able to watch? Yes. I've got

to keep an eye on that, actually. Obviously Great Britain have

certainly lifted the bar in terms of the technology of the sport,

aerodynamics and those kinds of things, setting the mark in London.

And the Aussies have knocked it around a little bit, technology,

also fitness. All the parameters need to be tied to get that gold.

The tactics are awesome. Of course I want the Aussies to get it. Nice

second place for you guys would be awesome. But there's a really great

rivalry brewing. Enjoy it, thanks very much. Thanks, guys. Second

place for the Brits... That interview had been going so well

until the end. But Mark Webber clearly absolutely loving it out

there today. Not the first time he has written this event. Just a pity

we cannot get involved -- ridden this event. People still finishing

now, as indeed I think I probably would be, had I been out there

earlier on today. Christian Knees is riding on the front for sky, as he

has done for quite a while now. This is some turn he is doing on the

front of the peloton, a very powerful rider up the first climb of

Ranmore Hill. We have seen him do it so many times for Team Sky. It seems

to be Team Sky and Etixx-QuickStep doing the majority of the work. We

did see earlier a couple of teams getting involved in the chase. We

saw Alex Towson towards the front, riding for the great British

national team. There was a lot of teams coming to the front either to

try to keep out of trouble, but I think it was to keep the six rider

breakaway well within four minutes. Hill interesting collection of

riders under the Great Britain flag, Adam Blythe a former winner of this

race, very capable finisher. Alex Dowsett of course has had numerous

successes including a stage win in the Giro d'Italia a couple of years

back and also Dan McLay, I don't know whether he is fresh, but out of

his first Tour de France. Finishing third to Mark Cavendish in that

stage as well, but let's not forget the other riders. I used to race

with his father. That makes me feel old. They have that cyclo-cross

rider, Ian Field and Matt Gibson as well. For sure they are riding for

Dan McLay, the national jersey on his bike. Dan McLay one of those

riders who are starting to make a name, he can go over these clients

and I think he will be in there. His first Tour de France here this year

was the first time he had been in a race for longer than eight days. He

thought the first week was fine but then he was hanging on but he did

well to come out of it, 12 on the final day in Paris. That is what it

is all about. The final stage says it all. So many top tens in the

first half of the race but it is a real difficult race, three weeks is

difficult, a lot different to a one-week race. I think if he has

looked after himself this week I am sure he will want to be putting on a

good performance for the crowd. The breakaway just under three minutes

ahead at the moment. They have lost about 20 seconds, 25 seconds on that

climb of Ranmore Common, the first time up, Christian Knees reducing

their advantage, disappearing into the semi-darkness under the cover of

the trees and in the depths of the Surrey countryside. It can often be

tricky on roads like this with the tree cover making things difficult

for the cyclists, maybe even somewhere to patches. I wonder if we

can head out to David Millar who might not be far from the leading

riders. Yes,... Yes, hi, we are just, sorry almost saw the crash,

very technical descent, trying to miss somebody. The race is on, it

feels like this is a roller-coaster but it is interesting to see, when

we spoke to Max and the beginning, director sportive for BMC, he said

they were right and offensive race, aggressive race, not only that they

have last year's winner Jempy Drucker in this move. It has woken

up a bit and Asmir coming by, the other riders, all six of them. I

think what is going to happen next is Team Sky, if they want to make

this race hard and stand a chance with Swifty, they have to ride the

aggressive race. You can see from these roads it is so technical if

Team Sky pile on the pressure it will wreak havoc. We are looking for

the Senate, I am sure you will see more than me, all I can see is

madness. It felt as if you are on a roller-coaster, it looked like that

as well I have to say. He seems to be enjoying himself too much. Jonas

Rickaert the rider who overshot and nearly disappeared into the bushes.

And who else but Christian Knees on the front. David mentioning that Sky

working hard now to try to close the gap but I think they will have some

allies, none more so than perhaps in the blue and black and white of

Etixx-Quick-Step. Simon you have seven World Tour First Division

teams, eight second division teams, eight continental, third division,

teams and two national team, Team GB and Team Rwanda. These roads are

very narrow and tricky. Very technical. You have to keep your

riders safe and this is what we have seen through the Tour France, Team

Sky keeping Chris Froome safe. If you put a rider on the front, your

team are allowed to stay out of trouble. We have seen some crashes

so keep your riders out of trouble but keep the pressure on, then the

bunch starts to get less and less as we get over the lumpy to rain. That

is going to suit the likes of BMC, ticks and Team Sky.

The overall King of the Mountains situation. Drucker on nine points

with Gardias and Lastra. -- Etixx, BMC and Team Sky. Back with the

leaders, Drucker at the back, Jelle Wallays in the red and white of

Lotto Soudal taking the pace at the front. Dexter Gardias dropping the

back from pedal heaven. Former one pro-rider. For him to be here as a

success for voting, they have taken a step up, third division team. I

love to see the underdogs getting involved. A team like pedal heaven

and Madison Genesis getting involved with this breakaway. Matt Holmes the

rider from Madison Genesis, only 22, has not had any row wins but I'm

sure there is still something to come from him. Seventh this year in

the GC, from Lancashire, living in Wigan at the moment. Here's a very

strong rider and a great future ahead of him. On the front of the

group of six at the moment taking his turn. Began holding at the

moment, quite a big step up even in this season for the British-based

professional riders because they do not have many races of this

intensity and duration? British cycling are trying to look at

things, trying to group the criterions and the road races in

different parts of the year. The Spring cup. -- criteriums. Maybe not

the best progression for a race like this but if you are doing the

training for yourself you can makes good good road riding with criterium

riding, but for the British riders to go up against the likes of the

Belgian champion, former world champion Tom Boonen, Chris Froome,

Tour de France winner, it is super motivating. Of the British

continental teams you would think they would want to get in the mix.

Some of them have got good enough riders being mix at the end, NFTO

winning this race in the past with Adam Blythe, Chris Lawless for JLT

Condor winning the national criterium championship. From Stewart

has a team-mate in the breakaway. I'm hoping to see some of the

continental teams in the next. The way things are playing out at the

moment this race is fast and hard and they will be up against it. They

will be playing with the big boys. David Millar in the middle of it.

Simon, we are sitting here waiting for the peloton, not far back. About

three minutes, I can see them coming now. I'm interested to see who is at

the front. Team Sky have now if they want this to work they will have to

go higher. Like you said, it has been a fast race. What we have seen

in the past, we have not seen this so fast in the past. It has the

potential to really be a tough race. Not like it normally is when of a

body is waiting for Box Hill. If they go hard soon there will be a

completely different race, very much like a Flanders Classic. Getting the

impression looking at it as if sky have decided they are really going

for it. They are going to begin to close the gap. Then it is still

3.53, it has not come down too much. Knees may be having a look around.

-- 2.53. Team Sky in their home race and the Belgian outfit

Etixx-Quick-Step, only putting two riders, Christian Knees, the German

rider, he will be used up along with the Etixx-Quick-Step rider in second

place but there is so much firepower just behind. Every knows you have to

ride this race from the front because around these laps when you

come off the climb of the day, the RAM more common, the new head

towards Box Hill. The last time up man more common is normally wear the

race splits. But it looks as if Team Sky and Etixx-Quick-Step want to

make this as difficult as possible, as David Millar says, this could

turn it on its head. Just when we are thinking in the last few years

we have seen springs down The Mall this race could change. Etixx doing

their turn on the front as we go back to the leading group. Etixx

have a very strong squad here that is not just about Tom Boonen, Niki

Terpstra in that field, Matteo Trentin, as well as Martinelli. It

is a strong six riders they have got. This is the leading group and

they have been at the front fork some considerable time. If you are

just joining us there was a delay of just over 20 minutes earlier in the

race about 50 km in. A blockage in Dorking. Riders stopped up waiting

for it to be cleared and then these six were allowed to go off with the

same time gap. No further problems and all is well out on the road.

Matt Holmes riding on the front once again. This race, really gaining in

reputation and do you not feel. About four years in an hoping to get

World Tour recognition as early as next year. Much more difficult for

the domestic riders to get opportunities. I am afraid if it

does go World Tour, when I say afraid it will be all the best World

Tour teams. It would be a fantastic event. Unfortunately there will not

be the space for the continental domestic teams. At the same time.

They could be the GB team, the cream of the crop could be there. If that

is the case then we will see a lot better race, lot better riders but

saying that. I went to talk to the teams and they love being here. Tom

Boonen was happy. He is motivated to try to win this. One of the last

times I saw him winning here was in the Torah Britain when he was

wearing the World Championship jersey. He wants to win this race.

That is why he has one of his team-mates at the front. Is that

primarily because of the way the race is organised here because of

the level of enthusiasm at the side of the road? A bit of both. In the

London Olympics the crowds coming out, then the Tour de France coming

here and Yorkshire and I think everybody that races their bikes

especially the sportive riders this morning. We heard from Dame Kelly

Holmes. Everybody was just encouraging people, from the side of

the road for a sportive, encouraging the amateur bike riders, but the

professionals it is an atmosphere. I don't always like playing a game of

football against maybe 300 fans. -- I don't know. But when you get

100,000 it inspires you and gives you goose bumps. It is the same as

cycling. In front of a bigger crowd you up your game. As long as you can

get through which has not always been the case particularly in the

Tour de France. This event now, 2:44 the gap for the leading riders. This

event of course is the legacy event from London 2012 for the English

capital and John Douglas spoke with the new Mayor of London Sadiq Khan a

little earlier. Enjoying the sunshine here on The Mall, how much

are you enjoying RideLondon? It is great, the world's biggest cycling

festival this year, more than 100,000 cyclists, people all the way

to my shape and size, but to the world's best, Chris Froome and Team

GB with in Stannard and Geraint Thomas and I'm excited. Your first

RideLondon, firmly establishing itself as a real key date in the

calendar. How important is it for the capital city? We want to make it

safe and easy for people to ride across the city and what is great as

people can ride a bike for the first time when it is safe with the road

closed off but also you get to see inspiring cyclist. Tour de France

winners, three times, that lifts the spirits. We have to make it easy to

cross the city and RideLondon is the world's biggest cycling Festival.

You not attempted to jump on a bike yourself that you mark your

predecessor of course. I think I could have Boris but I'm not sure

about Chris Froome. Looking forward to enjoying as a spectator. I will

choose which one to do next day, the lead on all the fun one on Friday.

We have seen people on BMX, mums and dads and grandparents, some people

today a bit older than me and looking fit. The challenge is on. So

we will see on a bike next year. I think I had better. It is important.

The great thing about this weekend is the world is seeing London is

open. After Brexit it was a concern. We had the premiere yesterday of

Harry Potter. Hopefully he'll be swapping that

suits for Lycra this time next year and he'll be out on the roads of the

capital and in the Surrey countryside as well. Fresh back from

her 100 right earlier today, Rachelle Gilmore. Just joined us in

the commentary box. I wouldn't exactly say I'm fresh back from the

100, I am tired back from the 100. Very demanding. Even though the

profile does not look difficult it is a demanding course. You knew what

to expect, you have done it before. I have, but that was closer to my

retirement so I was a lot fitter. You have your breath back now which

is good to see. And what have you made of the race so far? Looks as

though it's really starting to intensify. It looks like Sky are

doing a lot of work and of course they would want this victory on home

roads and the fans would love to see that. It would be very exciting if

Froome could get the win. It's not a course that's really suited to him,

not quite hilly enough. We've seen that his racing style has changed a

lot and I'd be really excited to see him have a go, anyway. Interesting

when I was talking to him this morning, just saying the fact that

he'd won the Tour de France in a different way this year and he'd

shown some real panache in the way he had ridden at times. And whether

he felt that it had come from trying to work on what were perceived

weaknesses that he had, or whether it was just a matter of confidence

and the fact that now he had greater confidence in knowing what he was

capable of achieving so therefore he would go out and do it? I think he

has mature over the last couple of years into that role. He was always

worried about his other competitors, that's why he was always taking the

chances. In the end Team Sky was too strong and Chris Froome was too

strong. The strong this man won in the end, which we all want to see.

Even today it's going to be a strong man that wins. You know there are

some Aussies in this race today? Absolutely, I think Michael Matthews

would be a good chance if it comes back together for a bunch sprint. He

won a stage of the Tour de France. It would be great to see him win. He

could do a Kirsten Wild and hide among the wheels until the last

moment possible. One thing we were talking about just before when she

came into the commentary booth, predominantly in the Tour de France

teams are made up of nine riders. In most of other men's racing it is a

dry this. On this race it has aways been six riders, same with Tour of

Britain. In women's racing predominantly it is all teams of

six. So how do you think this plays out in men is a sin, that they only

have six riders instead of eight? -- in men's racing. In the Tour de

France we see these trains in the sprints. In women's you

predominantly have to chase everything down, so your lead out

train can be reduced to less numbers. Sometimes only one or two

riders. I think that makes a big difference when it comes down to a

bunch sprint. Some riders might have been used in the race, they might

have been working really hard after a break. That's the biggest

difference with the reduced number of riders in the team's. One thing I

have noticed in women's cycling is that the breakaway does not get too

many minutes away down the road. Exactly the same as men's racing,

you put less team riders, and the breakaway never gets a big distance.

If there are eight riders, they could get to seven, eight, nine, ten

minutes. But they had it at four minutes and came to the front and

started riding straightaway. Well, exactly, they could lose a couple of

riders and their numbers are reduced. It's quite dangerous to let

that break go out. Yes, in women's cycling they don't. But also because

in a lot of races they do not have team radios and it's difficult to

trust the information you are being given. So they try to keep the

breakaway is a little bit closer. It's fairly interesting. I prefer

smaller teams. I think it's better racing. We have seen it in Britain

over the last few years, it's always an unpredictable race. I don't like

seeing too many teams controlling things from start to finish. I just

love it. Obviously watching the ascendancy of women's cycling as

well, there are some great races. Kirsten Wild did a great win

yesterday. And it was an exciting race. It's always attacking and

aggressive, and great television. There was a big question mark over

whether Kirsten Wild could win yesterday. She came in as one of the

favourites being one of the best sprinters in the world, it had her

name written all over it but there was a big question mark. And like

you said before, it is great to see the best rider win. On the course

they raced yesterday she was the favourite and she won in fine style

with a lot of power. From the moment she hit the front with whatever it

was, 250 to go, you just knew she was going to win and nobody would

stop. She put legs into her competitors. One of the outside

favourites, Chloe Hosking, who won in Paris the week before, but like

we know in sport, she had a terrible sprint yesterday, boxed in, may not

have had the legs. That would have been the biggest competition for

Kirsten Wild. But when she sprinted she just pulled away from her

competitors. A very convincing sprint. Any initial reaction from

the women's peloton to the classic? The first time it was held last

night. Up until last night it had been a circuit race just around St

James' Park but now it's a five and a half kilometre circuit around many

iconic sights of central London. I think they really loved the slightly

longer course and the thing that changed it up a bit was the

technical U-turns. That takes a lot out of the legs. It's quite a skill

to get around a U-turn, having won so close to the finish, it was

important to be in position. Some riders caught out a bit far back.

One of the canyon riders put the hammer down out of the U-turn all

the way to the finish. It was an exciting race. The leading riders on

the climb up to run more common. Let's join David Miller out in the

race. Sky are doing exactly what I hoped they would do. They have

launched an attack as soon as they got onto a small road. We can see be

hind, I can't quite see who it is, I'm sure you can see better than I,

but they launched. Keeping controlled pace. Etixx-QuickStep and

Team Sky. All of a sudden Team Sky have launched a full offensive.

Because the road is so narrow it's going to rip the race to pieces.

This is brilliant, I love this! You better get a move on, they are

coming after you from what we can see. Two riders from Team Sky and it

looks like Geraint Thomas, the second rider with the white glasses,

looking at his knees at the moment but that in fact is Geraint Thomas.

Who is now riding on the front. Is that Ian Stannard with him? It was

actually Ben Swift. Trying to launch Geraint Thomas on this kind possibly

to try to come across to this breakaway, and who better than the

Welshman, Geraint Thomas, to do it? Obviously he had a terrific Tour de

France. This is a plan that has been set up. As the saying goes it has

thrown the cat amongst the pigeons. With the discussion we had before

about nine and six riders, would it normally be the job of Ben Swift to

do that, to set him up to launch, take a bit of the sting out of the

legs? If it comes down to a bunch sprint he will be called up to race

for the victory. Matt Holmes crossing for the King of the

Mountains. Jempy Drucker third over the line. Looks as though we have

two riders vying for the minor competitions out on the road,

definitely Matt Holmes for Madison Genesis looking

for the King of the Mountains, at the back, looking to get involved in

that competition and get some points for the sprints competition. This

original group of six down to four. Back to our man with the mike on the

bike. It looks like Geraint Thomas has been the chosen one and we have

not seen this happen before. It is one of their leaders. This really

puts the pressure on everybody else to race and Geraint Hughes is in

full flight. The peloton is not far behind but sky are covering

everything. Teams like Oracle bike exchange, BMC if they choose, or

Etixx-QuickStep to shut it down. And then I imagine never be another

counterattack. It is in full flight now. And this is the first time we

have seen it in London. I just wonder whether that is Chris Froome

riding behind him up towards the front? It is Chris Froome. Alongside

somebody from BMC. I think Team Sky, it doesn't matter, they can send as

many guys up there, because the road is so narrow, the race is blocked

behind. They may as well launch Chris Froome, Ian Stannard, put them

all up there. I've got Geraint Hughes. They could have three or

four guys in a front group of ten if they like. Fair to say they are

strung up all over the lane as they head up towards Ranmore common. Many

were asking why Chris Froome was coming to ride London off the back

of the Tour de France. This is why. He has come here to race. He has

come to show the public what he did in France for three weeks. This race

is going to be in bits soon. This has played out the way Sky wanted it

to play out and it's being controlled by them. You can see

everybody just rang to grab wheels in this group behind. Everybody

doesn't know what's happening, who's up the road, who's behind. Great to

see this blistering attack from Geraint Thomas. Interesting, I don't

know how the pair of you feel about what has happened to Thomas later in

terms of the Tour de France. Last year he finished 15th and everybody

said, how fantastic it was, how well he had done, in the top few apart

from one bad day in the mountains, clearly doing an awful lot of work

on Chris Froome's behalf. This year he finished 15th as well but people

were much more muted about it. I think he's doing what he is destined

to do, and that is to help someone else win the Tour de France,

unfortunately. I think he's one of the best riders to do that.

Sometimes you know what your job is, when you get to the pro ranks, and

you become a pro rider for a few years, you know what you are best

at. Geraint definitely could finish top six, maybe top three in the Tour

de France. But he is the heart of the Sky team. Is he a Flanders man,

for your money? I would love to see him purely right for the Classics.

But we look at the Tour of Switzerland, when he really thinned

down, and he went there to try to win General classification. He came

out with nothing because he cramped in the cold temperatures. It was

freezing cold rain. But they get the best out of them. And Geraint is

somebody, no matter what you do, whatever race you are in, you'd want

him as your right-hand man. But I still believe he's got another

classic in him. Let's get back to David Miller on the road. This is

cracking stuff. Yes. Just wondering whether you are just in front of

Geraint Thomas at the moment? Where are you out on the road? We've just

come over the plateau through the feed zone and Geraint Thomas is

really making a difference now. If we wait here, here he comes now, is

pushing on. He hesitated for a bit, saw his team-mates going. There he

goes. I can see them right now. There are about 25 riders left, only

25, so the damage is done, and this is perfect for Team Sky. They can

just mark stuff. That's Chris Froome himself marking, I think it was

Michael Matthews. BMC and Oracle bike exchange chasing. Sky sitting

on and using Geraint as the rabbits to chase. Great tactics, and you can

see the gap. A group of 20 riders and nobody behind. A minute and 16

seconds then, the gap held by the six riders at the front. Gap coming

down all the time. But it's a very select grouping behind now, isn't

it? Amazing racing by. Geraint Hughes was looking over his shoulder

a lot, obviously the team tactics and the plans. It's a brilliant

plan. And I'm sure after a very short time you can see that Chris

Froome was coming, only a group of four, very exciting racing. We'll

just have to wait and see, because I think Danny Van Poppel is another

carrot for Team Sky to play. It will be interesting to see who it is.

Hoping David can get in amongst the group of 25 riders behind. Very

interesting. The speed Geraint is coming up, he's just going to fly

past. He was trying to use the motorbikes but I don't think he

needs one committees on a motorbike himself! Geraint Thomas himself is

absolutely fine. The men's road race in the Olympic Games in Rio is a

week away today. Talking to Chris Froome about that this morning as

well, whether it was all about Project Froome or whether there was

a plan B, C, maybe even D. When you look at the British team it's a very

strong team, all of those riders have great potential on a circuit

like that. The thing I like about the road race, it is a bit of a

lottery. You've got to have options for different riders. I know they

came to the Olympics in London here with Mark Cavendish in mind, they

had one plan and that was to try to ride at the front and control

things. I think if they go to the Rio Olympics with the opportunity to

look at every option, whether it's putting the likes of Steve Cummings

in a breakaway, we know what he's capable of doing from the Tour de

France. He is capable of doing it from a breakaway. Chris Froome, if

he comes back, is very capable of winning the road race, but it is a

bit of a lottery. I understand what Chris Froome wants to do. Dare I say

it, Bradley Wiggins, he won the Tour de France and went on to win Olympic

gold. I think Chris Froome is capable of

it. I mentioned it to him is? We have a great competition there but

like I say, just before Rachelle, when you have a time trial it is

different to the Ray Lewis, especially the Olympics when you are

reduced in numbers. It can be a bit of a lottery. If you want the

Olympic of you would go for the individual race. Exactly. And I

think that might be Chris Froome's ambition. But we know here's a race,

he is really racing here. In the road race he is breaking. I think

Weetles and exciting road race but his thoughts are on the time trial.

We could see him handing over the lead role to one of his team-mates.

Next Saturday the road race in the Olympic games, the women's road race

of course with Lizzie Armitstead among the favourites for Great

Britain, one of the big favourite for gold but that would be very

keenly contested. A number of other riders will really fancy their

chances on a hilly course like that. The Rio course is a hard-core is

that it is so open. Yukonite name and 12 riders that will have a

chance of winning. Lizzie has been dominant, able to pull off the road

race championship win last year with every single rider watching her and

she was the favourite after a very strong season. She can win in those

circumstances. It will be very hotly contested road race. How to do you

feel, by the way Thomas still hurtling through the country lanes,

mopping up the remnants of the breakaway at the moment. The latest

to be caught, Dexter Gardias, who is trying to hang on now to Geraint

Thomas. Briefly about the course in Rio, from what you have seen, is it

unusually tough? Is it the sort of course that only comes around very

infrequently. In terms of world road championship, people still talk

about 1981 with Bernard Hinault winning. I think it is a bit like

that course. Even the Belgian rider search Pouls was up there. Looking

at 19 81, then you had: via since then. I road the World Championships

in 92 in Stuttgart when it was just up and down. Very difficult. I think

it might reduce a slightly different winner. But it might throw up a

surprise winner. Maybe someone we have not seen racing so much could

come out. It is a tough circuit. But maybe these tough circuits could

lend themselves to a slightly easier race. It is about how it is raised.

It is a very tough circuit. Let's catch up with David. Of this

group of 20 riders, interestingly four BMC riders, only one Sky, Chris

Froome. Look at that. The peloton nowhere to be seen. Let's go! We can

see how far Geraint Thomas is in front. This is the gap, coming up on

Geraint Thomas massive gap. Sky have had their tactic work but now

Geraint is isolated. And there he is. Straight through. He has

bridged, three riders, there we go. And here we go, in Stannard, Geraint

Thomas, and we have got, let's see, two sky riders working together,

Chris Froome behind locking with BMC, they are the big riders own.

Geraint and Ian have all the responsible at it. And dusty

construction of the gap gained by Geraint Thomas in the last few

minutes. The distance he gained on the rest of the riders. It is great

to see when you can visually see it. On the front, the young rider, if I

was Pat Bevan, Rachelle, I would be slightly worried in this company.

Absolutely, not tapping through for so many longer turns on the front.

The way in Stannard rides he might not have the opportunity to do many

turns on the front, but now he goes to the front. Dexter Gardias was in

the early breakaway group and we are getting some real-time information

now coming from Pat Bevin, as you can see some other riders are wired

up. Everybody has different outputs, it is nice to see, unless you know

exactly what the maximum heart rate is, the power outputs, it is a nice

bit of information put together by them, honestly trying to bring this

information to our screens. It is nice to mix with what we already see

from the riders. This is so far has been the dominant performance by

Team Sky. We were talking about where their options live. It does

not look as though Sannuvand Popple, their sprinter, really wanted to

take it on today. They wanted to be like an early-season Classic, that

is where we normally see the likes of in Stannard and Geraint Thomas

giving pain out to every body else. The fact BMC have last year's winner

Jempy Drucker in this move and four riders back, there is a big call now

for BMC, do they call off Drucker because it looks as though Stannard

and Garrard are coming across which might Jempy Drucker you have two

member is pushing on. He wants to give Stannard and Geraint Thomas a

harder time to try to come across. BMC under the cosh. Three riders

chasing effectively. He has another life today, it does look as if Pat

Bevin from Canada Drapac is working with the Sky riders. -- Cannondale

Drapac. They have been going full gas and it is nice to see him still

in there, in good company with the likes of Jempy Drucker and Jelle

Wallays, nice to see Matt holds involved. And also Lastra, 23 year

rolled Spanish rider, he was leading the King of the Mountains in the

Basque country earlier this, no slouch. Going back to the BMC

tactics, they have last year's winner, who has already been doing

lots of work. This fresh firepower coming across with the Sky riders,

BMC have to make the call, whether they chase them down or they allow

Jempy Drucker his opportunity. If that is the case and the gap is

going on even more. If I was BMC and say, gently, save some of your

energy because you will need it. -- Jempy. I think he feels right

confident in this group and he wants them to get to the finish so he is

doing the majority of the work. Some very strong bike riders chasing him

down. Like you say, prime, he will have to make a decision on this.

Jelle Wallays leading them through talking. Coming up to the next

sprint, very shortly. All eyes on the bigger prize I think, the gap

coming down all the time. Chipping away, Geraint Thomas and Ian

Stannard with Pat Bevin of the Cannondale Drapac team. And here

come the leading riders. Lastra from Caja Rural on the front, Wallays on

his wheel. Drucker bringing up the rear behind Mackems. He has been the

chief animator in the last few minutes. The chasers now, Ian

Stannard, the wonderful diesel that he is, powering along, dishing it

out to everybody in his vicinity. You get the impression with

Stannard, but bit like he can do it all day. In the national Japanese

ships everybody said he was going to early. But both of these Sky riders

have been national champions. This gap coming down. What they will want

to do is try to come across and close the gap on the next climb of

Ranmore Common. I will be interested to see where David is an see who is

chasing behind. To see what the gap is. David Millar. I am just, this is

the group chasing, we are in Dorking, over one minutes behind

already and there is no organised chase. As you can see, random

attacks, but Geraint Thomas, G, Patrick Bevin, they are gone. This

is not looking good for BMC, they need to do something or it is all

over. And back with the leaders on the main road out of Dorking,

heading north at the moment on the A24, the vineyard on the left-hand

side any second. They will make a left-hand turn in a couple of

minutes. 75 km still to go in this prudential RideLondon Surrey

Classic. It looks like they are in disarray, Mat Hayman looking at Alex

Dowsett for the Team GB but it does not look like there is any concerted

chase. BMC have made their choice, I think they will go with Jempy today.

He won last year, he seems to be riding, there is no concerted effort

from BMC behind. If they were already losing a minute to the likes

of Stannard and Geraint it looks as if they have gone. Nice to see the

young Kiwi Pat Bevin involved with Cannondale Drapac. This rider hit,

Rachelle, Matt Hunn is riding for a domestic team, just coming off the

back of a lot of criteriums in the UK. The road surface getting smooth

until you get to Box Hill but he is doing a great job. During his terms

there. Fantastic job from a rider who races domestic league in such a

big race. As this has become in the last couple of the. Very globally

recognised race, big names just before the Olympics. Globally

recognised event ticking on number of cycling boxes with so many

thousands of cyclists around, over 100,000 taking part in all of the

various events. Riders still finishing in the right 100 and ride

46 coming past opposition here on The Mall at the moment. The official

charity this year the WellChild charity, Colin Evans one of those

riding for their charity and he spoke with Jill Douglas. Good to see

you over the line, we heard from you earlier talking about what it meant

to take part. Was it worth it? It was fantastic. Great riding around

London, closed roads, and the crowds as you come back into London

absolutely unbelievable. Was it as you expected? I did not know what to

expect, I have to say. The hills were more challenging than I thought

they were going to be. Coming from Yorkshire we have lots of ills. I

thought it would be a fairly flat ride. I really enjoyed it. Good

response Beasley for the WellChild charity, of course that is the

designated charity this year. How important was it for you to ride

with the jersey? It is a charity really close to my heart. WellChild

got us out of hospital in the first place. They do such important work.

It is a really important charity. And I liked riding round with the

jersey on and showing support for them. I'm sure the family cheering

you on as well very proud. I cannot wait to see them again. Weldon,

thank you very much indeed. One of so many great stories coming

out of the right 100 earlier today on the roads of London and Surrey.

Back with the leaders and that advantage is slipping away, three

quarters of the minute now. It was a group of six earlier on this

afternoon, now down to four. Trucker, Wallays, Lastra and homes

those at the front. Climbing up Rushmore, one more time. Lastra

taking that one on the line. On the climb now to Ranmore, once again.

Beautiful day for a bike race, around 23 or 24 degrees out there.

Predominantly Sunni, as you can see. -- predominantly sunny. Racing

pretty intense out there on the country lanes at the moment as Matt

Holmes from Madison Genesis leads the way. In this king of the

mountain section of the course. He took the points at the top of the

climb last time round and will be hoping to do the same once again.

Drucker sitting on the back at the moment. Lastra in green in second

place. Number 61, Jelle Wallays, the strong young Belgian rider who made

the step up to the World Tour level at Lotto Soudal. Quick to get

himself in this breakaway. The thing is, you have four riders from mixed

levels of world cycling. Matt Holmes from a level three division team.

Lastra in a second division team, and the two World Tour riders. They

are kind of the bigger fish with a couple of minor competitions in the

King of the Mountains and spring, additions, it does look as though

Matt Holmes could be on the podium for that and Lastra could be taking

the sprints competition. It's nice to see that they've got a bit of

collaboration from the World Tour riders, allowing the likes of Matt

Holmes and Lastra to take the points and give them that opportunity to

get on the podium. But to get on a podium for this type of race you've

got to try hard, take the points. You've got to be there. Nice to see

both Lastra and Holmes in there aren't holding their own. Likely to

get company before too long, do you not think? Very much so. Looks like

Wallays sitting on the front for Lotto Soudal is pushing hard today

with Jempy Drucker. They do not want Stannard, Geraint Hughes and Pat

Bevan to join them, they want to make it as difficult as they can.

The last time at Ranmore common and then we head towards Box Hill.

Normally the race towards Box Hill, that's what made the race over the

last few years, but Team Sky have just thrown that away, and have

decided to go further out. Looking at the time gap now back to the

peloton, it does look as if Team Sky, with two riders coming across,

this could be their time in the RideLondon classic. Still got 71

kilometres to go before we find out who will win this race but they have

made sure that it's far from formulaic. And continuing in the

vein of their Tour de France race, perhaps taking people by surprise

and racing in a way that people might not necessarily have been

expecting. Geraint Thomas on the front, Stannard hanging on, swinging

the bike from side to side. Seven World Tour teams in this race and

right from the start Etixx-QuickStep put a rider towards the front

thinking of their riders. We saw Tom Boonen winning a stage last week and

getting the yellow jersey. Their team has pretty much been decimated.

I never saw many of them in the chasing group with Chris Froome. So

it's going to be a hard pill to swallow if they don't get something

from this race. Another word with David Miller. Were you surprised at

how quickly Etixx-QuickStep were taken out of the equation,

seemingly? Not sure whether we can contact David at the moment. Can you

hear us, David question up we will see if we can get back to David

Miller shortly as the crowd wait at the top. And here come the leading

riders. Maybe the trees are getting in the way and interrupting our

signal. Hopefully we will get back to David Millar for his insightful

analysis again shortly. The advantage slowly being whittled away

by the Geraint Thomas group. Good to see them in such fine form. We knew

they were going well because of their efforts in the Tour de France.

Clearly hanging onto their form and their focus ahead of the Olympic

Games road race next weekend. Here we go, up towards the line for one

final time in the King of the Mountains. Holmes, presumably if he

has anything left, will try to make a sprints to ensure he is first

across the line. Certainly making sure he just nudges in front of

Jelle Wallays at the last moment. Yeah, good job. He'd done a lot of

riding on the lower slopes, and takes the points. I think we will be

seeing him later on in the podium. Stannard and Geraint Thomas have got

a good young rider with them, Pat Bevan, the current national time

trial champion of New Zealand. So they have a strong rider with them.

It does look as if the gap is coming down all the time. It will be

interesting to see what is, again, happening behind, with the Froome

group, if there is any attempt to chase. I think they are a bit

shocked in the group behind, I don't think they expected this and I don't

think they know what to do to stop this happening. Because you've got

two of the stronger striders in the race, Ian Stannard and Geraint

Thomas, is appearing down the race. That's a lot of firepower to let go.

Absolutely. I think we can join David Millar on the course. Were you

surprised how quickly Etixx were seemingly taken out of the equation?

Yes, seeing Ian Stannard and Geraint Thomas driving forward. They dropped

Pat Bevan Pedal Heaven. Date are working well together with

Pat Bevan. The race is in disarray. It would appear the MCI playing the

Jempy Drucker card. We can still see a bit of a gap, about 50 seconds to

the front group, behind that, then it's back to the group. They are not

waiting, they are going to keep going. Significant gap for them to

close. I have to say that gap was a bit bigger than I thought it was

going to be. It seems bigger when you go over in the motorbike. It

will be about 40 seconds. We question the tactics of the other

teams. Etixx have been taken out of the equation. The call has come out.

He obviously wants to go for it. Playing that card. With four riders

in the group behind, you would think it would be difficult to win this

again. That's why Jempy Drucker and Jelle Wallays have been told to put

pressure on, make it difficult, don't make it easier for them to

come across. The race is still on. Nice to see Adam Lyth in the script,

he'll be hoping he can duck and dive. He said at the top of the show

he wanted to follow the Team Sky train. Just goes to show how

difficult it was when they went. Left the station a bit earlier than

he was expecting. Exactly, missed the train. Maybe he never had a

ticket. Tremendous race, here. And we still have the thick end of 70

kilometres still to go. Here we are with the front group with Jelle

Wallays piling it on. And on his wheel is Drucker. Lastra in green

and white in third, and Holmes at the back of the quartet. Chasing

group just over half a minute behind with Ian Stannard, Geraint Thomas

and Patrick Bevin. Bevan, by the way, was third in the prologue of

Paris - Nice. Good tester, good time trialist. Good, strong young rider.

Just going into his mid-20s now. Taking some fluid on board. Nice to

see the Cannondale-Drapac car came up, had a word with the two Team Sky

riders and gave them a bottle as well. You've got to remember in this

race there is only one car. In Grand Tours and other tours there are two

cars. It looks as though the Team Sky car is stuck behind the Chris

Froome group. Back out into the peloton and let's join David. Yeah,

we've just been waiting, you can see the three guys. They are only 20

seconds behind now. Geraint Thomas, Ian Stannard, Patrick Bevin, are

less than 20 seconds now. I think you can tell the four riders at the

front seemed to have dropped their pace a little bit, almost allowing

these three riders to get out. I think they know that three riders of

this calibre coming up to them, that's going to mean a strong group

of seven riders who could possibly make it all the way to the finish.

Certainly when you look at it, a gap of two and three quarters minutes,

you would think these riders would contest it one way or another? I

think it's going to make for a very exciting finish. We've seen this

before at RideLondon, cat and mouse games in the final kilometres. Who's

going to make the last moment attacks, and will it come down to a

bunch sprint between these seven riders that will come together? We

saw some words from the back of the lead group now, with Stannard

speaking to Bevan about whether he was going to pull some more tones or

just sit on the back. Maybe they are looking for a little bit of

assistance. They've made it difficult, the riders on the front,

because they didn't relent for some considerable time, and they've made

them chase hard to try and close the gap. But of course now I think they

realise that they are fighting a losing battle and it's the

inevitable, it is what is going to happen. Let's go to David Millar.

It's all yours, David. Well, good to see he's still out there on the

course keeping an eye on things. But yeah, these riders here, they are

going to bridge that gap any time soon. Yes, the war has been won by

Team Sky. They are still not hanging about at the front but they want to

make it as difficult as possible, but they realise that this firepower

coming up, and knock off the gas a little bit in the front group, save

that little bit. The BMC card is firmly in the pocket of Jempy

Drucker for the second year in a row. With Jempy Drucker in the front

group all day, he's going to be a bit tired. The gap has come down and

the junction is complete. Superb writing primarily by Ian Stannard

and Geraint Thomas. Patrick Bevin also contributed but he was not the

prime animator of the three. We mentioned Geraint Thomas and spoke

about him earlier in the broadcast and his abilities. We've seen how

good he is in races like the Tour de France, and winning the Commonwealth

Games road race as well. What we should not underestimate Ian

Stannard by any stretch of the imagination. Former national

champion, twice a winner, consecutive years, one of the early

Classics of the season, a real hard man's race. And third in Paris- roo

Bay this year. He can mix it in the front end in the toughest of

company. And they came out with a plan today. Nice to see Chris Froome

trying to get involved as well. If they are covering attacks, obviously

went Geraint went down the road, Chris Froome was covering attacks,

and when Pat Bevan went, Ian Stannard was the man on him. It

could quite possibly have been Chris Froome. He obviously went with one

attack, Stannard went with another, and now we've got a group of seven

at the front. And they take the left hand bend rather better than

Rickaert did in the race earlier when he ended up in the barriers,

which were well positioned to stop him disappearing off the side of the

road. Some confirmation of what we saw, Matt Haines from Madison

Genesis first over the line ahead of Jelle Wallays and Jempy Drucker. He

has done a lot of work so far, and it will be interesting to see what

he's got left in the tank, frankly, when it all kicks off again. He's a

quality rider, the 29-year-old from Luxembourg. Picked up by BMC after

some riding for a second division team. He's a class, big rider. But

it looks like BMC have decided Jempy Drucker is their man once again.

Straight to the front with the Team Sky riders, Geraint Thomas the

30-year-old from Cardiff at the front. Coming to the back now the

29-year-old from Chelmsford, Essex, Ian Stannard. Second to none in the

last few years at the start of the season, and absolutely brilliant to

see the focus, especially for the Brits, not too sure about the

Australians, but the focus in the British team coming up to the

Olympics, coming to write this and going out there and racing.

Especially after a difficult Tour de France, and it bodes well for the

Olympic dream next week. It is super impressive there is such

a strong line-up. It is now a very big race and all of the teams, not

just the British teams, globally such an important race. It has that

feeling behind it. It is impressive these riders have come. Some of the

riders in the women's race were going to not come here but rather

focus on Olympics but with the men it is so impressive to see such a

strong line-up. I think the trees have cleared enough for David Millar

to hear us. What is it like down there with Marco is looking good? It

is looking good, this group we are just about to see them come by,

seven of them working well together. We will stop to get the gap to the

group behind. Confirmation if you have just joined as that Geraint

Thomas of Team Sky and his team-mate Ian Stannard now at the front of the

race with Patrick Bevin Cannondale, John Pietro Kerr of BMC, Jelle

Wallays of Lotto Soudal and Jonathan Mastro of Caja Rural and Matt Holmes

from Madison Genesis waving the flag for the domestic professionals. --

John Pietro John Pierre Drucker. The race was

brought to life very early on with the blistering attack by Geraint

Thomas to bridge the gap to the leading group. Nice to see one of

those things where you put down the plan and it is succeeding. With Sky

and Etixx-Quick-Step they were sitting back earlier on. To put a

plan like that together, for it to succeed so far. That is nice to see.

It is going to be interesting to see what happens now as Max Sciandri

comes up to speak to Jempy Drucker for the first time. The BMC car

there. I think it is very coaching to see a couple of members of the

Great Britain team for next weekend, Ian Stannard and Thomas going so

well coming out of the Tour de France but that is something I felt

about Chris Froome, seem very lax that the same you could sense the

was very focused and up for the Olympic Games. You have to be

focused, riding from the front is a lot safer. It can be dangerous in

these lanes. It is a lot easier to split the race up will stop I think

this is a huge opportunity for Team Sky to win their first Surrey

Classic. They were close with Ben Swift a couple of years ago. And

Thomas and Stannard riding on the front. Benning is the kiwi in the

lime-green from Cannondale Drapac. And Jelle Wallays just taking a

little bit of food on board as Lastra has a bit of a stretch to

stay loose. We can head back out to David Millar. Yes, we have been

sitting here for exactly two' minutes and still no sign. It looks

like that is the winning move unless Orica-BikeExchange or BMC, although

Jempy Drucker up there. We have been sitting here for 2:15, that is a

bigger. I do not know what you feel but with riders like Stannard and

Thomas of the road, and also presumably the strength of ballets

and look it will take some bringing back. I do not think it will be.

Only Box Hill, I say only, but a lot of people sitting on the couch back

home saying only Box Hill. The way the professional riders go up it

they would just go over it like it is not there. Blink and you miss it.

This is the winning move that now it has settled down a little bit looks

as though those seven are working together. It looked a bit like

Mastro was starting to suffer. He is only 64 kilos, he is very slight.

Once it comes down to putting the power down, the likes of Stannard

and Geraint Thomas, I do not think he can live with these riders. On

this sort of running it will be interesting how it plays out. A lot

of pressure on Jelle Wallays from Lotto Soudal. If I was Matt Holmes I

would start to think about maybe missing out some terms. It does look

as if he's doing that now. Nobody will be worried about you because

potentially format homes if he plays his cards right then there is still

a podium place on offer. This has been a great ride for. -- for Matt

Holmes. I have known what he is capable of before. He finished

seventh this year in not an easy race. At the tender age of 22 he has

shown he has the ability and he has a future at the. But if I was him I

would start missing terms. If he gets ever Box Hill, if it comes down

to tactical attacking, if he just goes for it he could get a podium

will stop we have seen Rachelle in previous editions that whoever is in

the front, when they go over the top of Box Hill. That is usually the

group in some form or other that competes for the finish. I think if

this group makes it over Box Hill it will be these riders coming to the

finish. There will be a bit of cat and mouse towards the finish. In

men's cycling it is so calculated and scientific and I think they will

work hard until they are instructed by their team directors. What do you

think Max Sciandri was suggesting, saying perhaps to Drucker Ben, when

the team car drew up alongside? Not a lot. Probably just, he came out

there and give it a couple of bottles. That says to me he has

already told him, that call has already been made, Jempy, it is down

to you. He won it last year from a small group, it is down to you

today. We were starting to see the team cars. The team cars are coming

up. BMC falling behind, they said they did not want it to come to a

sprint. Let's be straight here. The fastest sprinter in this group is

Jempy Drucker. But he has done a lot of work so far in this race. You

know as a sprinter yourself. What must he be thinking. Three strong

riders have come across. And with two sky riders it will not come down

to the seven man sprint. What is going through his head? He has to

have a go in the final kilometres vet from his body language, that

stretch of the neck and the stretch of the letter says to me he is

thinking about the sprint. It shows a little bit of confidence. He has

the mental game, have I done too much to be able to cover those moves

in the finish. Looking at his body Lang Richard says he is still in

this. He has no choice but to see that type of body language, but he

has not jumped on these moves, so he probably has thought about how it is

going to play out and riders are going to under pressure. So he does

not have to close down the gaps. A bit of a lottery coming into the

finish that a sprinter generally says in the last five or ten km it

is down to me to cover the moves. There was some jumping around,

Wallays in the team car, trying to do something maybe before Box Hill.

In Stannard went straight over the top to the front. Definitely to make

the point. Extremely strong at the moment. After the Tour de France. It

can be completely the other way. Jempy has been forced to come to the

front because it did not look like Pat Bevin had anything left. He is

the fastest sprinter there, is to take on board a lot of the

responsible at each close these gaps. Having a look back at the

remnants of the peloton, Chris Froome there third in line on the

right-hand side of the picture in the black. I say remnants, I think

that is the operative word. A bit further up the road is even once

again on the motorbike. And here we have Adam Blythe getting some food

from the GB team car. This is the group of about 30 riders about two

and a half minutes back. There is no organised chase, random attacks and

in disarray. We're about to go by as you can see, someone fuelling up,

there is nothing really happening. A good shop there, there we go. You

will see now as we come by, and again, no organised chase

whatsoever. Seven riders I think now with Adam Thomas and Ian Stannard

looking good. The chase group, the peloton will not see those leading

riders and time soon. Chris Froome here riding through talking for the

final time. Just sitting third wheel, he knows they potentially

have the race winning move down the road. We also see Niki Terpstra up

there for Team Sky. Mat Hayman also in the green helmet on the left-hand

side. Like David says no real concerted chase and Chris Froome

sitting on the front coming through Dorking High Street. Three-time

winner of the Tour de France, no real chase, this race is over. The

race is on from now. I think the graphic there rather misleading, it

is not 35 seconds, the gap, that is why it rapidly dissipate. 2:30 five.

Nice to see Chris Froome towards the front. I do not think there is any

firepower in that group. Sepp Straka setting the tempo. -- Niki Terpstra.

You can see four riders, one of those from Dimension Data but three

in there from Team Sky, four from Dimension Data, it looks as though

there are two riders in the blue of Etixx-Quick-Step towards the front.

We know that Orica-BikeExchange do not have anybody there but I am

tried to see what numbers they have. David said they were not those of

BMC riders, the fact they are not chasing down says to me, Rachelle,

they do not have the legs. They missed all the moves in the first

place, so that is a good indication. It can happen with six riders,

Laurel five of them having a bad day on the same day that is unfortunate

but they missed the move in the first place. They were not strong

enough to be there. It looks like they have called it a day. 55 km

left, Lastra just hanging on. I think he'll be lucky to use a one

over Box Hill. We might see some action, Matt Holmes maybe thinking

of the points. And in Stannard goes again. As they start the latest King

of the Mountains section, just for a change Stannard dishing it out from

the front and makes everybody else suffer in his wake. Giving you the

indication that he is trying to set it up for Thomas or really going for

the victory? Looks like he is going for the victory himself. Iran has

already put in a big effort but it looks as if he knows, in Stannard

knows that when you have two strong riders in a group like this that if

he goes and Geraint Thomas is sitting in the wheels he knows that

the other riders are not going to give 100% because they know if they

catch Stannard then Geraint will go. In Stannard wants to win this race.

He was brought up not far away from London, and he knows that if he goes

in front he has a great opportunity. We have seen him doing it similar

times before. That is the climb up Box Hill. Well-known to so many

cyclists particularly of course in the south-east and particularly at

the weekend if you are driving anywhere near Box Hill there are

cyclists absolutely everywhere, real mecca in this part of the world. The

Box Hill climb, wonderful smooth surface lay down for the Olympic

Games of course four years ago. They just go over once these days, rather

more in the Olympic road race, nine times in the end in the men's race.

For the sprinters that were going into the London Olympics they were

very pleased it was resurfaced. I actually wrote the Box Hill run when

it had the old surface and again with the new surface, it certainly

makes the climb less demanding having the new road surface. And how

was it today at that point? It was a tough ride today. But I

remembered Box Hill feeling hard. I was not looking forward to the last

climb, but after that there was a few more little bridges and bumps in

the way into London and they were the ones that really hurt. Here we

are, then, with Geraint Thomas on the right-hand side. Stannard now a

little bit further back. Lastra still on the back. Here we are with

what is left of the peloton. Daniel Oss in second. Just noticed that

Jempy Drucker is sitting at the front. Normally as a sprinter on a

climb like this you want to set a nice, steady tempo, you don't want

it jumping around. If you set the tempo just hard enough you don't get

the attacks and I think that's what he's worried about, attacks from

Stannard and Geraint Thomas. Jelle Wallays riding on the front at the

moment with Drucker writes on his shoulder in the middle-of-the-road.

In the lime-green is Pat Bevan. A little look back, and very scenic it

is for us, but not for those in the saddle, concentrating on what is

going on. Geraint Thomas deciding to attack just as we go back to the

peloton, three minutes and 12 behind, but let's get back to the

business end of the race. It's all starting to kick off in the sunshine

on Box Hill. Geraint Thomas, the key animator at the moment. Bevan tries

to go with him. Wallays labouring a bit, just lost the wheel in third

place. Drucker is right on his wheel. Finding it difficult now to

try and hang on at the moment, Matt Holmes. He has Lastra right on his

wheel. You can tell from the body language that it's getting rather

tough at the back of the lead group. It is not the big acceleration from

Geraint Thomas that does it, it's just that he keeps it going for so

long. He's actually done an amazing effort. Very noticeable that Ian

Stannard never got caught out with these two suffering riders at the

back, he followed the attacks. Back to David Millar on the course just

ahead of the riders, I think. We are coming up behind, you will see the

damage. Hang on! He had to attack here,

because it is quite flat afterwards. There is a big gap. We will keep

going forward and you will see that. This is perfect because it means Ian

Stannard can sit on, he no longer has to work. Once again good tactics

but still a long way to go for Geraint. But it's a win-win

situation, even if he's caught, they've got Ian Stannard to make a

counterattack. We are about to go by and you will see there is a big gap.

There you go, he is flying, Geraint is flying. This is an absolutely

brilliant ride, isn't it, from Geraint Thomas? Brian Smith is just

shaking his head and smiling. This is a wonderful ride from Thomas. The

thing is they have set it up and Ian Stannard knew that and he was trying

to get away before Box Hill, a new Geraint was going to go on the

attack. It wasn't a scintillating attack, he just pedalled fast and

got a gap. He's like Steve Cummings, once he gets a small gap, he's so

difficult to bring back. Here we are, just behind David we can see

Geraint Thomas, almost keeping up with the motorbike. Look at him,

using full flight, and this doesn't look like a flash in the pan attack,

he's gone into full time trial mode. You can see the big gap is God. It's

a beautiful sight to behold when Geraint is going like this -- you

can see how big a gap he has got. In imperious form and looking

magnificent as he hits the front of the race and leads the others in the

breakaway group trailing in his wake. Chris Lloris there, the

national criterium Champion in the black. Beggars Chris Froome on the

left-hand side of the road. -- there goes. Froome, with the familiar

acceleration, familiar nodding of the head, side to side, showing his

pace off the front of the peloton. He's testing himself out. We

mentioned earlier what we would see from Chris Froome. He's testing

himself out. He is putting people in pain. Matteo Trentin was just behind

him. He knows he will not endanger Geraint Thomas or Ian Stannard, they

are free and minutes before. David Millar was right, it is great to

watch Geraint Hughes riding like this. It's also a long way to go to

the finish, 50: that is. The thing is, it is a long way to go, but Ian

Stannard is just sitting on the other riders, so it's a win-win

situation. They have all bases covered. Sky have just raced

sensationally, tactically it has just been a sensational ride from

Team Sky. Goering Thomas, we referred to the interview he had,

Chris Froome is still on the front, trying to test his legs -- Geraint

Thomas. He probably had a bit of a rest period after the Tour, going

into the Olympic Games next week. He was saying he'd had three nights at

home since Paris. And he'd also written a couple of races. David

Millar is with Geraint Thomas out on the road. Hi, David, just wondering

whether you can hear us out there on the motorbike. Yeah, now I can, this

is fine. We are with the group chasing Geraint Thomas. As you can

see, four of them are there. Three of those guys have been at the front

all day. Only Patrick Bevin has the fresh legs, if you like. Ian

Stannard is sitting on the back. I can't even see Geraint up the front,

E is out of sight, out of mind -- he is. There will be heavy legs,

particularly Jelle Wallays and Drucker. Yes, tired legs in there.

It will be interesting to see when they get to the finish. A bubbly one

of the fastest editions of the RideLondon. -- probably one. You can

see what the team tactics were, that's why Ian Stannard, when he saw

an opportunity, coming into Dorking, and even at the bottom of the Klein,

he was trying to get in front and he knew what was coming. He new Geraint

was going to go and in fact he wanted to win this race. To try and

win this race he wanted to be in front. Geraint came across, they

could potentially have a two up time trial all the way to the finish.

Thomas has a very long time trial by the looks of things, but he is full

gas, fully committed. I was going to refer to the interview he did during

the Tour de France when he said that he was told he was being paid to win

races, not be an entertainer. His response to that was, if I am an

entertainer and directs like this, I have more chance of winning.

Obviously today he is setting up his team with a chance of winning and

absolutely entertaining us. This augurs well for next week, from a

parochial British point of view? He is clearly going well. It looks

good, unless all the other nations are just kind of faking it at the

moment, lulling us into a false sense of security. Stannard is

strong. Chris Froome testing his legs out. He was doing the

acceleration up Box Hill. You don't normally see this. When you've got

riders in front and you've got one of your riders in front, and this is

the peloton, only 25 riders left, just looked as if Chris Froome was

testing his legs. Looked like a little attack coming off the front

of the peloton on the right-hand side of the road. We got evidence of

that before the camera pulled away. Some might just creeping through the

trees come here, as Geraint enjoys the predominant shade a along the

road. The earpiece is in so he can hear what is being said. He just

wants to know the time gap. He is concentrating on his effort. It's

not easy, you go over the top of Box Hill. On paper that's the last

obstacle. But it's heavy, it's lumpy, it's rolling. Wimbledon as

well. That's what I was going to say. We've seen attacks in previous

editions. It does look as if the race is on, and the group behind is

starting to see some splits. Think it's just riders thinking they are

Rover Box Hill, they think it is downhill to the finish and they are

looking for a top ten performance, they are not going to catch this

man. I was told on Box Hill this was the last climb of the day and it is

downhill to London. I was expecting some downhill, so every time these

bumps kept popping up and you need to get out of the seat to push over

them, and especially these riders with particularly tired legs on the

front. I'm sure they will feel those bumps coming into London. You had a

tough old day on the bike, I can tell. You can really tell. 46.2

kilometres to go for Geraint Thomas at the front of the race. And there

he is. Of course Geraint Thomas a two-time Olympic gold medallist on

the track as part of the team pursuit squad. It's all about the

road these days. David Millar keeping close tabs on Geraint Thomas

and the others at the business end of the race. Yeah, here we go. You

can see the four riders are working well. Look at the gap. We will try

to catch up with Geraint and you will see how far he is. Into the

technical section. It's a little bit technical. Just make sure you hang

on! Yeah, no, this is great. We didn't realise it was going to be

this technical here. You can see how hard it will be to catch Geraint

Hughes, we can't see him and we are on a motorbike. And you are not

hanging around by the looks of things. No! Here we are, we are

about to catch him and you saw how long that to. Here we go. That's how

fast he is going, and we are just catching him now. That's how long it

on a big motorbike. That's incredible, the gap that Geraint

Thomas has opened in a relatively short space of time off the front.

That's really impressive. Either to things, either Geraint Thomas is

flying and the others are just tired... I think the first point is

Geraint Thomas is flying. And they are tired. We know that he's been

capable of this. We see him right on the front like this all the way

through the Tour de France. We are seeing it on our screens today. Team