This year’s Olympic Games have not yet started, but they’ve already begun to have a positive effect on many sports in the UK, including cycling.
The sport has received more publicity than ever before and is attracting new fans and participants on a daily basis. Team GB are hoping to win a gold medal or two in this year’s cycling events which will only serve to attract even more people to the sport.
Beijing 2008
The popularity of cycling is due in part to the GB cycling team’s sweeping victory in Beijing 2008, where the team won eight gold medals in cycling events. However, some experts are worried that this performance won’t be repeated at this year’s Olympics due to changes in events at London 2012.
High-Profile Names
However, the changes have not dampened the spirits of the main players in the Olympic cycling team. Famous cyclists Bradley Wiggins, Victoria Pendleton, Mark Cavendish and Chris Hoy are all favourites to win medals at this year’s games. Team GB’s top cyclists have become household names thanks to increased publicity and a string of advertising deals, which means more and more people are taking an interest in both watching and taking part in cycling.
Talent Programs
Currently there are several talent programs that promising young cyclists can take part in, including ‘girls4gold’, which targets young women, the young talent program for those aged 13 to 16 and the Olympic development program for those aged 16 to 18.
The Under 23 Academy provides a program of full time residential training both in the UK and in Italy, whilst the Podium program provides promising cyclists with the equipment, clothing and coaching necessary to make it as a professional cyclist. Potential winners can receive funding for state of the art cycling accessories including ENVE rims and specially designed helmets.
Getting Involved
Thanks to the Olympic Games there are now lots of sports clubs around the UK that anyone can get involved in. Cycling is becoming far more popular and many of today’s best riders were spotted competing in local clubs and events.
Future Olympic stars are spotted by talent scouts at ‘Regional School of Racing’ events, the National Series and the National Championships. A winning streak at this year’s Olympics could see the sport of cycling become even more popular and will see investment increase further, which will hopefully lead to more British cycling talented being discovered and nurtured in the future.
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