Six Day London: Bradley Wiggins gets a hero’s welcome at the Olympic Velodrome despite the TUE scandal hanging over him
SIR BRADLEY WIGGINS began his big goodbye in front of a rapturous crowd — despite the TUE scandal.
The Brit has spent a month under a cloud since details of Therapeutic Use Exemptions were leaked by hackers.
Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish compete in the madison event they won at the world championships in MarchGetty Images
But fans roared him on as the Six Day London event began at Stratford’s ‘Pringle’ — his last home event before retiring.
Wiggo is riding the disco-style cycling party with Mark Cavendish, complete with a techno DJ and smoke machine.
Cavendish was riding just days after winning the final stage of the Abu Dhabi Tour on the road. The pair sported the rainbow jersey as they took to the Madison — the event they won at March’s world championships — to begin six nights of cycling action.
As on that night in March, Wiggins, 36, and Cavendish, 31, tore it up for three laps before flinging each other around the track with their arms — but could only claim third.
Mark Cavendish and Bradley Wiggins are introduced to the crowd at the noisy disco-fever London Six DayPA:Press AssociationBradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish sported the rainbow jerseys they clinched in the madison at the world championships in MarchGetty Images
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The Brits did three other events, including the longest lap, where Cavendish did a track stand for several minutes — balancing on the pedals — before finishing third in a one-lap sprint.
They ended day one third on 65 points, behind Germans Marcel Kalz and Leif Lampater on 78pts, with Kenny de Ketele and Moreno de Pauw on 71pts.
Bradley Wiggins rides on the Olympic Velodrome in LondonGetty ImagesBradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish hold hands as they exchange in the madisonPA:Press AssociationBradley Wiggins won Olympic gold in the team pursuit in Rio in the summer – his eighth Olympic medalAP:Associated Press
Wiggins earlier told the crowd: “I’m pleased to get back on the bike — I just love riding on the track.
“I always said I was born to ride the Madison.”
Wiggins, British Cycling and Team Sky are still being quizzed by UK Anti-Doping over a mystery package delivered to a race in 2011.
But Wiggins and all those being investigated strenuously deny any wrongdoing.
He said: “I have won two Olympic gold medals with Brad now and in those two Olympic cycles there was no use of TUEs whatsoever.”
SCARBOROUGH will play a key role in next year’s Tour de Yorkshire after being named among the towns which will host either a stage start or finish of the three-day race.
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