Monday, July 23, 2012

From Kilburn to Paris

Brought up in Kilburn by his mother and grandparents, Bradley Wiggins dreamed of taking part in the Tour de France. His mother took him to Paris when he was 13 to watch the final stage on the Champs-Elysées. Little did he know that 19 years later he would be the one on the top step of the podium as the first British rider to win the 99 year old race.

Of course, the French would have wanted one of their own in his place, it is after all 27 years since a French cyclist won le Tour. However, they have warmed to Wiggins who they christened “Wiggo le Froggy” - adopting him as if he was one of their own.

A fan of mod culture, Wiggins sports the RAF roundel on his helmet just as Keith Moon did on his T-shirt. He also has an impressive collection of Fender and Gibson guitars and of course, Lambretta and Vespa scooters.

No matter what the French think though, this was a British achievement. Wiggins has now made history as both the first Brit to win the Tour and the first to win the tour as World champion. Now all he has to do is win a few more gold medals at the Olympics to go with the ones he already has.

Oh and before we forget, Wigins lead his teammate Mark Cavendish out to win his fourth stage win on the Champs-Elysées – that was equally impressive.

BBC Sports Personality of the Year – I certainly hope so.

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