Lord Coe hopes the success of the race will bring benefits to London

Ninety-six world-class cyclists will be taking part in Tour of Britain, which comes to the city for the first time in five years on 5 September.

By the time the competitors reach London for the final leg of the race they will have completed 500 miles.

The event begins in Manchester on 1 September.

In London the competitors will ride 45 laps of a circuit starting and finishing in Whitehall via Northumberland Avenue, The Embankment and Bridge Street.

Lord Sebastian Coe, chair of the London 2012 bid, said: "I want to tap into that enthusiasm and ensure that the success of Tour of Britain helps strengthen the London Olympic bid, which will bring massive benefits to the capital and to the whole country."

Many of the cyclists are Tour de France competitors.