The races will take place from September 5 to 8 with riders set to race on a course that passes through the Kent county and the district of Sevenoaks in Kent.

The former Formula One Grand Prix circuit will be the base of approximately half of the course, including the start and finish, with the remaining part of the race to take place on local roads nearby.

Pat McQuaid, the President of the UCI, said: "The UCI are delighted with Brands Hatch as the location for the London 2012 Paralympic road cycling events.

"The combination of the motor racing circuit and local roads combine to provide a circuit that challenges the athletes and one that will undoubtedly create some spectacular races and worthy winners next summer."

The announcement marks the final venue to be confirmed for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and pays homage to Brands Hatch's cycling routes which first developed in the 1920s as a grass track cycle racing venue.

The course is within approximately one hour's travel time of the Athletes' Village on the Olympic Park in Stratford and was chosen after extensive consultation with the relevant local authorities and stakeholders to find a route that will provide an outstanding experience for both athletes and spectators.

"We are thrilled to be bringing such a high profile and exciting Paralympic sport here to Brands Hatch," said London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe.

"Our ParalympicsGB cycling team won 20 medals at the Beijing Paralympic Games in 2008, including 17 gold, and I hope that today's announcement will inspire and excite our Paralympians about competing here in under 500 days' time."

Requirements for the Paralympic Road Cycling course are very precise as the course has to be suitable and challenging for a wide variety of disability groups.

During the 2012 Paralympic Games, there will be 32 road cycling events for men and women with a range of disabilities including visual impairments, cerebral palsy and amputations competing on bicycles, tricycles, tandems and hand cycles.

There will be 225 - 155 male and 70 female - athletes from around 40 nations will participate in the road cycling events which will consist of mass start road races ranging from 30 to 120 kilometres and individual and team time trials ranging from 20 to 35 kilometres.

The events will be ticketed in large part but some of the route will be free for spectators

Tickets will cost £10 but there will also be special price tickets available at £5 for those 16-years-old of under or 60-years-old and over as well as group organiser tickets for large groups which would see them receive additional tickets at no extra cost.


"I'm extremely excited to potentially be competing at Brands Hatch," said Rachel Morris (pictured), who won the women's individual time trial for handcycling at the Beijing Paralympics in 2008.

"Winning another gold medal but on home soil this time would just be fantastic.

"The course looks great and it will be a real test for athletes, promising a great show for spectators."

Jonathan Palmer, chief executive of MotorSport Vision, the owners of Brands Hatch, was thrilled that his venue had been chosen for such a high-profile event.

"I am absolutely delighted Brands Hatch has been chosen by London 2012 as the venue for the road cycling events at the 2012 Paralympic Games," he said.

"This famous race circuit is ideally suited, being close to London, having a fabulous undulating track and regularly handling large crowds.

"Brands Hatch is synonymous with competition on two wheels and four and it is a privilege for it to be the host venue for the world's best Paralympic athletes to display their outstanding talent and determination."

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