The world’s top cyclists are set to race through the streets of Elmbridge.

On Saturday and Sunday (July 28 and 29), the London 2012 men’s and women’s cycling road races will pass through the borough.

The men’s race will feature Team GB’s Mark Cavendish and Bradley Wiggins, who won the Tour de France just last weekend.

Next Wednesday (August 1), the Olympic cycling time trials – again featuring Wiggins – will also pass through Elmbridge.

Helyn Clack is the county council’s cabinet member for community services and the 2012 Games.

“Mark Cavendish could win Team GB’s first gold medal this weekend and just a few days later Bradley Wiggins is tipped to win the time trial, both on Surrey’s roads, so we’re expecting huge crowds,” she said.

Both of the road races will start at the Mall in London, with participants cycling through the capital before crossing over Hampton Court Bridge into Surrey.

They will then pedal their way through towns including East and West Molesey, Walton, Weybridge, Byfleet and Dorking before reaching Box Hill.

The men will complete nine laps of the popular beauty spot, while the women will complete two.

The cyclists will then pass through Leatherhead, Oxshott, Esher and Thames Ditton before crossing back over Hampton Court Bridge.

The finishing line is back at the Mall.

The time trials, meanwhile, will be contested individually against the clock over a distance of 44km for men and 29km for women.

Participants will set off at 90-second intervals and the rider with the quickest time of the day is the winner.

The time trials will start and finish at Hampton Court, with the route passing through areas in and around Elmbridge.

Extensive road closures and parking restrictions will be in place around the cycle routes from the early hours of the morning on each day.

Surrey County Council said that the aim is to reopen most roads three hours after the last race vehicle passes.

The authority added that it is expected to take longer in areas where there will be larger crowds, such as around Hampton Court.

“We’re urging people to be prepared and plan ahead to enjoy these Olympic events in the county,” said Cllr Clack.

“That will help us minimise the inevitable disruption that staging events of this size will bring.

“It’s a big job.

“We have to create the biggest venues of the Games from scratch and 42 miles of roadside barriers have already started to be stacked around the road race route.

“There’ll be road closures and parking restrictions along the route on event days, so we’re asking people to avoid driving in the area if at all possible.

“If you want to catch the action, staying local and walking is the best option.

“Journeys will take longer than usual and public transport will be busier.”

This weekend, people will be able to watch the action on big screens at various venues in Elmbridge, including Esher Green, Molesey Boat Club and St Mary’s Church in Walton.

For the time trials, there will be screens at Molesey Boat Club, Weston Green and Cobham Recreation Ground.

Elmbridge Borough Council leader John O’Reilly said: "Elmbridge is very proud to have been selected to host such a prestigious event.

“This is a chance for friends, family and neighbours of all ages to be part of history.

“There is certainly a buzz in the borough and I for one am very much looking forward to it."

For more information about the cycling events, including route maps, race times and road closures, visit www.gosurrey.info/olympic-road-cycling.