Bradley Wiggins confirms he will race in Tour of Britain
Published at 12:00, Monday, 20 August 2012
Cycling superstar Bradley Wiggins is coming to Carlisle.
Weblink: Route map - Carlisle to Blackpool
Wiggins, who has won seven Olympic medals including four gold, has announced he will take part in the Tour of Britain.
Wiggins took gold in the time trial at London 2012 just weeks after victory in the Tour de France.
He announced his participation in the Tour of Britain at a ‘Ride with Brad’ session in Lancashire, designed to encourage people to take up cycling.
Wiggins, who rides for Team Sky, did not compete last year because he was recovering from an injury.
He said: “It’ll be nice. I’ll try to stay fit between now and then so I don’t embarrass myself.”
Fellow cycling star Mark Cavendish is also expected to take part.
The 27-year-old is the world’s best sprinter and took his tally of stage wins on the Tour de France to 23, putting him fourth on the overall list.
The Isle of Man star also won the green jersey, awarded to the rider who accumulates the highest number of sprint points, on the 2011 Tour. But his tally of three stage wins this year was his lowest since his abortive Tour debut in 2007 and led to speculation he could quit Team Sky.
A large part of Stage Four of this year’s race – Britain’s equivalent of the Tour de France – is being held through Cumbria.
It covers a route from Carlisle to Blackpool and is due to start on September 12.
The news was welcomed in Cumbria, with several people taking to Twitter.
One, Colin Glover, the deputy leader of Carlisle City Council, said: “Another great day for Carlisle.”
The Tour of Britain last visited Carlisle in 2005.
Weblink: Tour of Britain 2012 promotional video
Weblink: The Tour of Britain Race Manual 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk
Petethegreet, Whats the point in doing anything in life? In my oppinion its those attitudes that see alot of big things bypass this part of the county, if its not your cup of tea dont go but dont put it down for everyone else!
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Of course this is welcome news for Carlisle and for local fans of cycling. I just hope that some of our more limelight-seeking politicos don't try to hijack the event to further their own egos or crackpot ideas or claim credit for Mr. Wiggins' appearance. One hopes, however, that Mrs Martlew gets her pooper scooper out to clear the way for the competitors and thusly set the limit for city councillor involvement.
Posted by BM on 22 August 2012 at 16:46