Cycling has long been a part of the Olympic Games, having first been introduced back in 1896 at Athens. However, it was only in Atlanta in 1996 that mountain biking was added to the agenda and in Beijing in 2008 that BMX races were officially included.

The cycling line up at the Olympics takes several forms - road events, such as road racing and time trials, races in the velodrome indoor track, mountain biking in hilly countryside and BMX racing and jumping on outdoor tracks.

About 500 athletes are expected to compete in the 2012 Olympic Cycling events, with the road races taking place in Regent's Park, London and the mountain biking at Hadleigh Farm in Essex; the other two cycling events will be at the Olympic Park. Team GB did exceptionally well with cycling at Beijing, raking up eight gold, four silver and two bronze medals.