2013-08-03/04 - RideLondon (Freecycle/Grand Prix/100/Classic)

In our naivety we didn't TM 'The London Classic' - it can't be TM'd anyway as its too generic.
IANAL, and certainly not an IP lawyer - but my understanding is that you can trademark "The London Classic" as a phrase, as it pertains to a cycling event.

What you could not do is to TM it as a phrase applicable to anything.

i.e. I could market a workshop for stealing cars, and call it the London Classic, and I would not be infringing your trademark.

As soon as I create a cycling event, and call it the London Classic, however, then I am instantly creating confusion as to what this "London Classic" actually is, and am most probably infringing on your rights.