London 2012 Olympics: Games organisers to charge for outdoor cycling events and general admission tickets

I tend not to moan much, however on this occasion I make an exception. 

Cycling remains one of the only sports which the public can enjoy for free. What makes top road cycling events so great is that anyone can go and watch for free, presenting many families and cycling fans the opportunity to experience a top event without the financial burden which is usually associated with elite sporting events. It was only a few months ago LOCOG were consoling disappointed fans who had failed to secure London 2012 tickets with the promise that the road cycling events would be free to enjoy, upholding a long standing tradition of elite road cycling events, from previous Olympic games to the biggest tours throughout Europe. 

No surprise I guess London 2012, an event already clouded with controversy, has come to decision with less than 100 days (as they love to promote) until the cameras begin rolling. London 2012 has now dragged cycling into an event which can only be enjoyed by those with the financial means to do so, putting more individuals and families out of enjoying the games - its a disgrace! 

Now to the facts and the financial ramifications of this announcement. 

4,000 tickets for the track cycling along with 6,000 for the mountain biking, 2,000 for the BMX and 1,000 for the Mall during the road races will be available from May 14. 

Olympic cycling events: Tickets timeline

May 11, 11am: Tickets for 20,000 applicants who missed out on rounds one and two of the initial ticket application. These include:

4,000 track cycling tickets (Velodrome)
6,000 mountain bike tickets (Hadleigh Farm)
2,000 BMX tickets (BMX track)
1,000 road race tickets (The Mall)

May 12, 6pm: Window closes for initial 20,000 applicants

May 14, 11am: Unsold tickets for track cycling are available for unsuccessful applicants in round one.

May 17, 11am: Unsold tickets for BMX, mountain bike and road races are available for unsuccessful applicants in round one.

May 29: Road race and time trial tickets available.

Road races: 15,000 tickets available for Zig Zag Road, Box Hill. 
Donkey Green: £15 full price, £5 young people and seniors
Dormouse Drive: £10 full price, £5 young people and seniors

Time trials: Viewing areas at Hampton Court
'Viewing Area A': £15 full price, £5 young people and seniors
'Viewing Area B': £10 full price, £5 young people and seniors

Now to close, quoting one of our loyal twitter followers 

@Sarahnova19 "money grabbing olympics!"