Wiggins Looking Forward To RideLondon Classic

29 July 2015 04:01

The Prudential RideLondon festival of cycling represents “everything that’s great about our sport”, according to 2012 Tour de France champion Sir Bradley Wiggins who will race in the third Prudential RideLondon-Surrey Classic on Sunday, 2 August.

Wiggins made his debut in the 200km pro race last year when foul weather failed to dampen his enthusiasm for an event that brought back special memories of his London 2012 Olympic time trial victory, the fourth Olympic gold of his career.

Wiggins, who broke the prestigious UCI World One Hour Record at the Olympic Velodrome earlier this year, will race with his newly-formed Team WIGGINS on Sunday and says the event is “a big moment” for British cycling’s newcomers. Cycling track days offers a safe and great road experience for Sportive riders to really push themselves which is a big part of the amateur RideLondon event such as the Freecycle and London to Surrey 100.

Britain’s most decorated cyclist spoke to Prudential RideLondon about his memories of last year, his hopes for 2015, and the bright future for Herne Hill Velodrome, where he first raced as a teenager.

Q: You’ve mentioned in the past that the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey Classic is a special race. How did you feel when you made your debut at the race last year?

Wiggins: “It was great coming back to race on the streets in London. It holds so many memories from 2012. When I think back to coming down The Mall, going completely flat out to win an Olympic gold medal just a few days after winning the Tour de France, the crowd yelling at me and the sheer excitement of the day, it’s really quite overwhelming.”

Q: What are your favourite parts of the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey Classic route, and why?

Wiggins: “Box Hill stands outs. We did eight laps of it in 2012 and I remember the crowd lining the road and urging me on. I’ve still got every inch of it mapped out in my mind. Hampton Court is a great place for me too.”

Q: Team WIGGINS is sure to attract enormous support this weekend. What does that support, and the growth of cycling in the UK in general, mean to you?

Wiggins: “I’m happy to see more people going about their business on bikes; it’s a good thing. Cycling’s open to all, anyone can do it, and it’s good for you.

“Our WIGGINS team has had a brilliant response racing around the country, people can see we’re a bit different and the sheer spectacle of us all riding through London will be amazing.”

Q: What is it like taking part in Prudential RideLondon in front of British crowds?

Wiggins: “For me, it’s like a reminder of everything that’s great about our sport. I’m looking forward to just being a part of it and to getting my fitness back up. I’ve had some time off after breaking the One Hour Record and my main focus now is the Rio Olympics in 2016.

“Prudential RideLondon is a big moment for WIGGINS as a team. We’ve got some serious young talent in the shape of Owain Doull and Chris Lawless. Chris is just 19, and finished sixth last week in Belgium riding against Philippe Gilbert and Tom Boonen. It was a fantastic achievement. He was the only British rider to finish the race and is in great form, so keep an eye on him.”

Q: What advice would you give to the 25,000+ amateur riders tackling the route through London and the Surrey Hills on Sunday morning before the Classic?

Wiggins: “Ride responsibly, look after yourself and have a great day.”

Q: The London Marathon Charitable Trust, part-funded by Prudential RideLondon, has just made a grant to Herne Hill Velodrome, where you raced as a teenager. Do you see a bright future for track cycling in the UK, and how important are grants like these to ensure young people get into cycling?

Wiggins: “It’s important that local community initiatives like Herne Hill Velodrome receive support. It’s a great track and credit must go to all the volunteers and the cyclists from south London who’ve worked to keep it open.

“These type of facilities are essential for helping to develop a strong cycling culture here in London.”

Source: DSG