Rebecca Romero to ride London-Paris in 2010

The 550km London to Paris ride is certainly one of the blue-riband sportive events of the year, boasting rolling road closures, outriders and lead cars for the full stage race experience. And the organisers have announced today that they've bagged a couple of big names to increase the event's profile before entry opens on November 30. The L2P takes place on 24-27 June, 2010

Brightest star in the pack is Olympic and former world cycling champion, Rebecca Romero, who'll be swapping the boards for the tarmac to try her hand at the three-day ride. "I'm constantly looking for new and exciting challenges and that's why I've decided to ride the London-Paris 2010", said Romero. "It's a professional endurance event and I know it's going to test me physically and mentally.”

“I'm really looking forward to the experience of riding in a fast-paced ride alongside some of the country's most serious cyclists.  It's obviously a longer distance than I'm used to but that's what appeals to me. London-Paris 2010 will be one of my key targets for next year and I'm really looking forward to the challenge,” added Romero.

Also in the line-up for London-Paris 2010 is Swedish former professional cyclist Magnus Backstedt, who won the Paris-Roubaix in 2004 and the 19th stage of the 1998 Tour de France. Backstedt now runs his own coffee company (see a review of his coffee here), which aims to put something back into cycling by funding Team MagnusMaximusCoffee.com, a squad of young Swedish and British riders.

Backstedt said: “London-Paris was one of few events I heard a lot about when I was a professional rider out in Europe and I have always said I would love to ride it one day. Knowing people who’ve ridden L2P and having heard so many great things about it, I couldn’t resist riding when the opportunity came up for 2010.

“It gives me a goal to work towards and the training will keep me fit now I’ve ended my professional career. The event just seems to have everything, from the organisation to the sheer amount of fun everyone seems to have riding this event. I can’t wait for next June.”

For more info on the ride, head over to www.londres-paris.com