A new 19-mile event has been added to this year's RideLondon.

The route begins in Sandown Park and stretches through south west London and finishes on The Mall in front of Buckingham Palace.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “The Prudential Ride London-Surrey 19 will be a great way of inspiring more people to take to two wheels, and it is going to be a wonderful opportunity for less experienced cyclists to ride through the world’s greatest city on traffic-free roads."

The first 12 to sign up were pupils from Ernest Bevin College in Tooting - the mayor's former school - and Hornsey School for Girls in Crouch End.

Mr Khan said: "I am delighted that students from my old school are among the first to sign up, and I'm sure they will feel a real sense of achievement by taking part.

The ballot for entries will close when 4,000 entries have been received or at 5pm on Wednesday, July 4.

This year's RideLondon will take place over the weekend of July 28 to 29.