The 2011 London-Paris ride, entries for which opened yesterday at noon, sold out in an unprecedented 15 minutes, described as an “amazing” response by organisers, who have told disappointed would-be participants to keep an eye out for details of a new, multi-stage sportive in the Alps later this year that will be launched soon.

Reacting to yesterday’s clamour for places on the four-day ride between the British and French capitals, Sven Thiele of organisers Hot Chillee, said: "This is amazing. We thought the demand for places in 2010 was incredible, with the event selling out in just 20 hours, but this uptake has taken even us by surprise. It’s testimony to this unique event and its popularity which increases year on year.

“We understand that there must be disappointed riders who have not managed to enter; we hope that they place themselves on the reserve list or consider The Alpine Challenge in September which is our new multi-day cyclosportive taking place in the Alps".
The Alpine Challenge, which will take place next September over three days, will follow a similar format to the London-Paris event, including professional support, rolling road closures and motorbike.

Full details will be announced shortly, and of course we will report them here on road.cc as soon as they become available.