The Prudential RideLondon-Surrey Classic, part of the world’s greatest festival of cycling, has been awarded WorldTour status for 2017-19 by the Union Cycliste International (UCI).
The race, founded in 2013 and already the world’s richest one-day race, is the first British men’s race ever to attain WorldTour status.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: "WorldTour status for the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey Classic is deserved recognition for one of the highlights of what has become the largest festival of cycling in the world.
“It is helping inspire thousands more Londoners to take to two wheels and attracting riders and visitors from around the planet, very clearly demonstrating that London is open for business and welcoming the very best talent in the world."
Prudential RideLondon Event Director Hugh Brasher said: “We are absolutely thrilled by this news. It is a huge tribute to the team at the London & Surrey Cycling Partnership to achieve this after just four editions of the race.
“The event was set up as a legacy event from London 2012 and to rise to the top echelon of professional men’s cycling after such a short period of time is truly outstanding.
“Prudential RideLondon now features UCI WorldTour races for both men and women; both are the world’s richest one-day races and have equal prize money.
“Our research has shown that the Prudential RideLondon festival of cycling has already inspired tens of thousands to take up cycling and hundreds of thousands to ride more often. WorldTour status will inspire many, many more.”
Richard Walsh, Surrey County Council’s Cabinet Member for Localities and Community Wellbeing, said: “This is fantastic news for a race that fans in Surrey, London and way beyond have already really got behind.
“It further cements the county’s reputation as a world-class place to ride and I have no doubt it will help to inspire even more people to get cycling.”
British Cycling’s president, Bob Howden, said: “This is fantastic news for cycling in Britain and a credit to the hard work of everyone involved in the event.
“To achieve WorldTour status in just three years is a rare feat and I know that the Classic and the festival as a whole will continue to inspire many thousands more people to take up cycling over the coming years.”
The 2017 Prudential RideLondon-Surrey Classic will take place on Sunday 30 July.
