A true role model
197 other competitors. Afterwards, Wiggins, already the proud holder of three Olympic gold medals on an indoor track, said: ‘I’m still buzzing from the Champs-Elysees, it’s so quick around there.’
On whether his place in cycling history had sunk in yet, he said: ‘It will take a while... I’m just trying to soak up every minute of today as it goes along. It’s very surreal at the moment. This sort of thing happens to other people, you never imagine it happens to you.
‘It’s incredible. I bet I’ll look back in years to come and think, “God, that was special”.’
Jubilant British fans – many of whom caught early Eurostar trains yesterday to be there – certainly agreed, roaring in delight.
Engineer Bruce Jones, 52, of Halesowen, West Midlands, said: ‘The last time we came here was 26 years ago. What Bradley’s done is fantastic and the man is such a gentleman.’
David Holmes, 42, who arrived in Paris yesterday morning from North London, said: ‘It’s such a historic day – nobody wanted to miss it. Lots of people were making the journey, many of them having made the decision to travel at the last moment.’
In a grandstand near the finish line yesterday among members of the extended team and their sponsors was Michelle Cound, runner-up Froome’s photographer girlfriend, who excitedly stood on her seat to take pictures.
Earlier in the Tour she had suggested her boyfriend was holding back on purpose so Wiggins could win, but yesterday she was as swept away as the rest, saying: ‘It’s a terrific day and a fantastic achievement for all the team.’
Last night the team attended a private celebration in a Paris hotel before Wiggins, who lives with his wife and children in Chorley, Lancashire, and the other cyclists flew home in a private jet to prepare for the Olympics.
Cycling commentator Phil Liggett said: ‘ People at home have got to understand the massive achievement of winning a cycle race over the topography of France over three weeks. It was unthinkable there would be a British winner when I covered my first Tour in 1973.’
Robert Tansey, chairman of Team Sky, said: ‘I’m absolutely thrilled. The last few weeks have been tremendous, not just the racing, but the reaction back home.
‘It really is an historic achievement. It’s testament to the team we have done this so quickly. We wanted to generate a lot of excitement and interest in cycling and I certainly think we’ve done that.’
HOW refreshing to be able to honour an authentic British sporting hero. Bradley Wiggins’ Tour de France win, the first by a Briton in the 109-year history of the race, is a truly awesome feat of strength, endurance and – most importantly – character. A man from humble roots who has earned everything he’s achieved by his own sweat and toil, Wiggins is also blessed with endearing modesty. He feels privileged to be a role model to young cyclists but has no interest in joining the tawdry cult of celebrity. What a contrast to so many of our overpaid, underachieving footballers whose disgracefully boorish behaviour was laid bare yet again during the John Terry racism trial.
Thankfully, Wiggins’ triumph proves such hollow men do not represent the whole of British sport, and we can still produce genuine world-beaters to inspire the next generation of young athletes. With the Olympics only days away, the whole country is eagerly hoping there will soon be many more to add to the list.