Wednesday 1 August 2012

Wiggold - Gold goes well with yellow #London2012

Wiggo and Froome receiving their medals at Hampton Court
On the last day of the torch relay the flame took a visit to the famous maze at Hampton Court Palace. Today the Palace acquired by Henry VIII saw the return of the King, or at least the Maillot Jaune from France, Le Tour that is.

Out through roads and town that I have cycled along in my time living in that part of the world was the women's and then the men's Time Trials.

All the talk before the start of the men's was about how Brits Chris Froome and Bradley Wiggins had come first and second in the two Time Trials in Le Tour. Tony Martin (GER) the World champion in this discipline had retired after the first of those because of a broken bone in his wrist, and three times World champion Fabian Cancellera (SWI) the defending champion had had a fall at the turn just inside Richmond Gate in the road race on Saturday, after having a broken collar bone in April. There was also some talk about Luis Leon Sanchez.

So how would the Brits do and would those injuries affect the two men who have most recently worn the rainbow jersey in this discipline?

The answer seemed to answer itself out on the road. For Sanchez it was over almost as it began, he broke his chain on the start ramp and then shortly after needed a new rear wheel.

For the other four at the first time trial they were all in contention. Then at the second Froome took the lead only to see it taken by Tony Martin, and less than 80 seconds later it went to Wiggins. Cancellera was outside the medals at that spot. It was a top three that would not change all the way back to Hampton Court.

Wiggins crossed the line looking fresh while Tony Martin sat on the ground looking shattered. But Wiggo only had one concern, he still did not know it he had won or not. When we saw a shot of Cancellera at the Diana Fountain in Bushey Park outside of the time for any medal we knew, but Brad still wanted to know. When Cancellera finally climbed off his bike he was in agony clutching his left shoulder, I still suspect that he may well have broken his collar bone once again on Saturday but was determined to make the start line in defense of his Olympic title.

So in front of Hampton Court as the Union Flag (strangely without the roundel after a W, I and two Gs) was raised by the Gurkhas in honour of Team GBs second gold medal of the Games and day. God Save the Queen was song out just a little more vociferously than the chants of "Wiggo, Wiggo" just before they started to sing.

Wiggins with 4 Golds 2 silver and a bronze is now the Brit with the most medals, at least for now, Sir Chris Hoy may match him within days.



Wiggins is also the first man to win the Tour de France and Olympic gold in the same year!

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