The 2007 Tour de France will begin in London, Mayor Ken Livingstone announced on Tuesday.
It is the third time the Tour has visited England but the first time it has ventured into the capital.
It made its debut in 1974 in Plymouth before returning to English soil 20 years later when England's Chris Boardman led the race.
The Tour has started in an array of different venues, including Dublin and Liege in recent years.
Livingstone said: "Hosting the first stage of the legendary French cycle race will raise the profile of cycling in the capital, attract visitors and promote the capital as a venue for international sporting events."
The route has yet to be finalised but is expected such landmarks as Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square and the Houses of Parliament.
The announcement was heralded by Boardman, who admitted he was amazed by the turnout from the British public when the Tour last visited England.
He told Radio Five Live: "The last time the Tour visisted these shores two-and-a-half to three million people lined the roads. It was quite a spectacle.
"That will at least be trebled in the capital.
"We have a number of riders in Britain who can take the leader's yellow jersey - Bradley Wiggins is one that springs to mind - so that would be quite something for the British public."
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Originally Posted by ZeTurbo
