British Cycling Takes Centre Stage

It has been a remarkable few days for British cycling, with the sport taking the front and back pages of newspapers over the weekend. Bradley Wiggins was confirmed as the first British Tour de France winner in history yesterday, before it was announced today that Sir Chris Hoy will be the flagbearer for Team GB at the Olympic Opening Ceremony.

Wiggins Takes Unique Victory

As 153 cyclists rode through the streets of Paris yesterday to complete the mammoth 2,200 miles of the Tour de France race, there was one man who had dominated throughout. For the first time in its 99 year history, there was a Brit wearing the famous yellow jersey that marks the leading rider as they crossed the finishing line. Bradley Wiggins was a full 3 minutes ahead of his nearest rival in the overall time.

The victory has led to experts calling him the greatest British sportsman of his generation and possibly of all time. The Tour de France is a unique sporting event held for three weeks throughout France, Belgium and Switzerland. The cyclists spend a total of over 85 hours on their bikes, with many of the stages being held in mountainous areas with daunting uphill climbs.

What's more, Wiggins wasn't the only British cyclist to be claiming glory on Sunday. Mark Cavendish won the final stage of the Tour for the fourth year running, beating off his competitors along the famous Champs-Elysees.

Wiggins and Cavendish will both be hoping to gain more glory at London 2012. In less than a week they will both be competing in the men's road race at the Olympics, with Cavendish the favourite for the gold. Wiggins will then be taking part in the time trails, which he is also favourite for.

Chris Hoy Named Team GB Flagbearer

British cycling claimed another victory today after it was revealed today that track cyclist Chris Hoy will lead Team GB out for their lap around the Olympic Stadium on Friday, as well as carrying the Union Jack flag. Each of the 542 members of the British Olympics team got to vote on who they thought deserved the honour, and Hoy was the stand-out choice.

He is a four-time Olympic Champion, and the three gold medals he won at Beijing 2008 made him the most successful Scottish Olympian of all time. It also earned him the honour of carrying the flag at the closing ceremony of that Olympics. He will be competing in two events at London 2012 and will be amongst the favourites for both. Indeed, the British cycling team as a whole is expected to be the most successful part of Team GB.

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