Mark Cavendish signs up to compete in RideLondon Classic

Mark Cavendish will contest the RideLondon-Surrey Classic for the first time

Great Britain's Mark Cavendish will compete in the RideLondon-Surrey Classic later this summer.

Cavendish, 29, will lead his Omega Pharma - Quick-Step team in the second staging of the 220km, 150-rider event.

"The whole event shows the growth of cycling in Britain, so it will be great to be a part of it," Cavendish said.

The UCI-endorsed race, part of the Mayor of London's annual festival of cycling, takes place on 10 August and will be broadcast live on BBC One.

Cavendish missed out on defending his National Championships road race title last week due to bronchitis but has a busy summer ahead.

The Manxman will compete in the Tour de France, which starts in Leeds on Saturday, before representing the Isle of Man at the Commonwealth Games.

"I'm excited to be riding in the RideLondon-Surrey Classic for the first time this year," the 25-time Tour de France stage winner said.

"It's another opportunity to race in front of the amazing crowds in Britain. Coming after the Tour de France and Commonwealth Games, more and more people are going to be at the roadside cheering us on and wanting to be a part of the weekend."

Twenty-five teams of six riders will contest the route that starts at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, goes out through central London and into Surrey before returning to the capital for a sprint finish on The Mall.

"We know it's a challenging route, but we also know it's one that can end in a sprint finish, which should suit the team and me," Cavendish added.