The Bradley Wiggins effect

By Victoria Hazael
Monday, 23 July 2012
Monday's papers proclaiming Bradley's victory
History was made as Bradley Wiggins became the first British man to win the Tour de France. Now just days away from the Olympics, what will his victory mean for cycling in the UK? Will more people be inspired this summer to start cycling?

Cyclists across the UK stayed indoors on a rare sunny Sunday afternoon to watch Bradley Wiggins ride to victory in Paris. It was a defining moment for cycling in the UK.

CTC Chief Executive Gordon Seabright said: "Allez Wiggo! Absolutely fantastic to see a Briton winning the greatest bike race of all."

"It was so touching to see Bradley Wiggins joined by his seven-year-old son Ben on his victory parade along the Champs-Elysees. I’m hoping the image, along with the summer sunshine, will get parents and kids out on their bikes during the summer holidays and inspire the next generation of cyclists."

CTC Chief Executive Gordon Seabright

For Bradley though, there's not much time for him to bask in the glory or even take time to spend the holidays cycling with his son, as he is back in training for the Olympics.

He told the Press Association: "If I'm 100% honest, it's gold or nothing in London now."

"That's the way I'm treating the next nine days. I've set a precedent now for performances. I can't sit and say I'll be happy with a silver, or happy with a bronze."

The 70,000 cyclists at CTC wish Bradley and the rest of Team GB lots of luck as cycling role models do encourage people of all levels of fitness to remember that they, too, can ride a bike.

 

Olympics