Get on yer bike for the Tour de France

A weekend of fast-paced cycling action hits the streets of London from Friday 6 July as the Tour de France arrives.

In recent years the race has been dogged by drug scandals but in a scheme to get Londoners on their bikes, Mayor Ken Livingstone was somehow able to persuade the world's leading bike race to have a London stage this year.

Tour de France: The Grand Depart begins with a lavish opening ceremony in Trafalgar Square, before the excitement really gets under way over the weekend.

The Saturday sees the Prologue race, where the rider with the fastest time gets to wear the coveted yellow jersey.

Sunday then hosts Stage One where the best cyclists in the world will go head-to-head past landmarks such as Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and the Tower of London.

However, unfortunately for home support, out of the fancied riders for this year's tour, there is not a Brit among them.

Full timetable of events

Friday 6 July - Opening Ceremony (6pm)

Saturday 7 July - Prologue (starts 3pm, ends 6.20pm)

Sunday 8 July - Stage One (starts 10.25am)