Cycling fans will have to stump up as much as £15 to watch key sections of the Olympic road race this summer, organisers have confirmed.
The decision by LOCOG (London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games) to charge spectators to view proceedings on key sections of the route caused uproar in the cycling community when it was announced last year and news of the exact figures will only further rile fans of what is traditionally a free-to-view sport.
Parts of the section in question, Box Hill, are owned by the National Trust and spectator numbers on certain stretches will be limited to 15,000 in order to protect the area, with LOCOG saying the decision to charge was “in line with London 2012 aims to provide fair access and safety at venues”.
Tickets, which go on sale here from Tuesday 29 May, cost £15 for the Donkey Green area (£5 for under 16s/60+) and £10/£5 for the viewing area at Dormouse Drive. Other parts of Box Hill will be free to view, along with the rest of the route.
The time trial at Hampton Court Palace hasn't swerved the money men either. Prices come in two tiers, depending on whether you go for Viewing Area A (£15/£5 for full price/under 16s and Over 60s) or Viewing Area B (£10/£5).
The men's and women's road races (28 and 29 July) are among the first events taking place at the summer's Games, with both time trials following on 1 August.
What do you think? Will you be parting with your cash when the tickets go on sale at the end of May, taking your free place on The Mall for the race's climax or just staying at home and watching on TV?
