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Wiggins: "Prudential RideLondon highlights beauty of cycling"

When it comes to cycling, it’s fair to say seven-time Olympic medallist Sir Bradley Wiggins is somewhat biased regarding two-wheeled action.

21st June London, UK - But the 2012 Tour de France winner is adamant that the opportunity for thousands of others to follow in his and other professionals’ slipstream as part of Prudential RideLondon is one that is unknown in any other sport.

On the last weekend of July this year, London will be awash with cyclists as the capital closes some of its roads for the fourth edition of the world-class festival of cycling.

With professional events such as the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey Classic and Prudential RideLondon Classique to 100-mile and 46-mile courses for amateurs on the same closed roads, there is something for everyone.

Families are also able to take part with the Prudential RideLondon FreeCycle on Saturday 30 July in central London, with the route featuring many of the capital’s world-famous landmarks, from Buckingham Palace to St Paul’s.

And Wiggins – who has taken part in two previous Prudential RideLondon-Surrey Classics – believes the fact that the event has grown so quickly in such a short space of time shows the appetite for the sport in this country.

“In years gone by cycling wasn’t as popular as it is now,” he said.

“In order to cycle in London, you had to go to Regent’s Park and Hyde Park and use the roads there. Cycling has definitely grown and participation as a family has grown".

“There are not many sports where you can go and participate as a family. Cycling is one of the few sports that you can go all ages, all abilities".

“So something like this, where the safety issues are taken care of, because it is completely closed roads, it’s an opportunity for a family to come along and everyone to enjoy themselves."

“Growing up cycling was very much an individual thing for me, there wasn’t an event like the Prudential RideLondon."

“You have the pro race and then you have 25-30 odd thousand people who get to experience it in their own time, on their own level, before that race."

“That’s the beauty of cycling. That amount of people don’t get to go out and kick a ball around Wembley before the FA Cup final. There is no other sport like that, where you get to enjoy what the elite guys do.”

He added: “It’s a great day out, whether you are doing the 100, the 46, or just standing around watching the guys at the start or the finish, it’s a big family day out."

“As my professional career winds down I’ll be spending more time encouraging families to get out on their bikes. The 46 miler is ideal for that. I’d encourage anyone who’s interested to get out and give it a go.”

For more information, please visit: https://www.prudentialridelondon.co.uk

Bradley Wiggins: Prudential RideLondon highlights beauty of cycling