London Olympics: From Brad Wiggins to Chris Hoy, the cycling show continues

02.08.2012

Cycling is certainly the sport that has created the most interest over the first five days of these Games. After the success of the road race, the time trial also mobilised thousands of spectators who invaded the quiet Surrey countryside around the beautiful setting of Hampton Court Palace. 

Beyond the sporting side of the competitions, the extraordinary sight of such a wildly enthusiastic crowd the whole length of the course, has once again shown a sport supported by a collective euphoria in Great Britain.

A Union Jack flag, 44 kilometers long, accompanied Bradley Wiggins to his awaited triumph -  a coronation that erased the defeat of Mark Cavendish in the road race from the minds of the local enthusiasts. The winner of the Tour de France 2012 achieved a remarkable performance, which crowned a perfect season and made him the idol of the entire country.

« The King of the Road » - as he has been baptised by the press – has become the most successful British athlete of all time, overtaking the Sir Steve Redgrave, the rowing specialist.

Figuring in 3rd place in the ranking is another cyclist, Sir Chris Hoy, who preparing to make his entrance on the track. The star of the velodrome, who carried the Union Jack during the opening ceremony, will line up this Thursday for a tightly contested race with the Germans and French in one of the most anticipated events of the programme, the team sprint.

Also involved in the Keirin next Tuesday, Sir Hoy could win two medals which would put him back in front of Wiggins. The rivalry between these two champions can only increase the popularity of cycling amongst the British public. All eyes are now on the six days of competition on the track, which will take place in the magnificent Velodrome in the Olympic park.

The track is going to provide its own bag of emotions. They will be evenly split between the men and the women as, for the first time, the number of medals to be awarded is the same : five medals each, ten in total. Be it on the London asphalt or the wooden floor of the track, the grand cycling show continues!