British cyclist Bradley Wiggins confirmed the creation of his new UCI
Continental-ranked team, "Wiggins," saying his intention with the project is
to "inspire kids and reach all those people who might be on the fringes
of the sport," according to Tom Cary of the London TELEGRAPH. The four-time Olympic Gold Medalist and 2012 Tour
de France champion "is quitting Team Sky at the end of April, after
one final crack at the cobbled classic Paris-Roubaix." Team Wiggins has signed up many of the endurance riders "with whom Wiggins will be fighting for a place in Rio, including Andy Tennant, Owain Doull, Mark Christian, Jon Dibben and Steven Burke." The team "will be backed by Sky." Wiggins said, "Cycling has given me everything. Now I want to build something to inspire kids and to reach all those people who might be on the fringes of the sport. My message is simple: If I can do it, then so can you" (TELEGRAPH, 1/8). REUTERS' Martyn Herman wrote the team "will operate independently of British Cycling and focus on both road and track disciplines." Team Sky General Manager Dave Brailsford, "the mastermind behind Britain's rise to cycling eminence, welcomed the announcement." Brailsford: "Bradley has written one of the greatest stories in British sport over the last 10 years. His exciting new project, WIGGINS, will undoubtedly have a lot to offer cycling in the U.K. on the road to Rio 2016 and beyond" (REUTERS, 1/8). The BBC reported the team's calendar of U.K. track and road events "will be unveiled in spring 2015." British Cycling "has given its backing to the outfit."
British Cycling CEO Ian Drake said Wiggins has "helped to inspire a new generation of British cyclists" (BBC, 1/8). The PA reported the move to create a new British team "has been welcomed" by Britain's most decorated female Olympian Victoria Pendleton. Pendleton said, "It's great to see how cycling is gaining popularity in this country and Brad's new team is bound to help." British Cycling's membership "has more than doubled since Wiggins' 2012 Tour de France triumph, with more than two million people now cycling at least once a week in England" (PA, 1/8).
