28 June 2012
Minister for Sport, Hugh Robertson, visited British Cycling today to wish the Great Britain Team well on the road to London 2012. The Minister took time to watch a training session with Olympic and Paralympic stars at the Manchester velodrome. Hugh Robertson chatted with many of the team’s riders before their session began, including Sir Chris Hoy, Victoria Pendleton and Aileen McGlynn.
Sports Minister Hugh Robertson with Victoria Pendleton during his visit to British Cycling
He was briefed by Olympic sprint coaches Iain Dyer and Jan van Eijden on the cutting edge training and conditioning techniques used by British Cycling.
He was also given a tour of the indoor BMX track which, like the velodrome, is used as a grassroots facility as well as a training venue for elite cyclists.
Commenting on his visit, Hugh Robertson said:
“It was great to see the British cycling team in such great shape with the Olympics now just under a month away. The signs are good for success on the track in London. I am confident that the sport will also use the Games as a platform to grow cycling at the grassroots further, as they have done in the years since Beijing.”
Martin Gibbs, British Cycling’s Director of Policy and Legal Affairs, said:
“We were very pleased to host the Minister for Sport today. The fact that he has taken time out of his busy schedule to come and see our riders train at their home in Manchester is a real boost to the team and highlights the ever increasing popularity of cycling as one of Britain’s top sports.”
