Mark Cavendish began his bid to claim Great Britain's first Olympic gold of the London 2012 Games in the men's cycling road race.
Cavendish, the world champion and winner of 23 Tour de France stages, was described as "the fastest man in the world" by Bradley Wiggins as the team were introduced to rapturous applause from spectators on The Mall ahead of the 250-kilometre road race into Surrey.
Wiggins, who last Sunday became the first British winner of the Tour's yellow jersey, was a key component of the five-man team, who were introduced to Prince Charles and his wife the Duchess of Cornwall, seeking to help Britain to glory.
Chris Froome, who finished second to Wiggins in the Tour, David Millar and British champion Ian Stannard completed the line-up.
Germany's Andre Greipel, Peter Sagan of Slovakia, Belgian duo Tom Boonen and Philippe Gilbert and Swiss rider Fabian Cancellara were among Cavendish's major rivals.