Biking has been a staple of the Olympic Video games since its inception again in 1896, in the course of the video games held in Athens. All through its 126-year historical past, a staggering complete of 264 gold medals have been awarded throughout 29 totally different editions of the Video games. Tokyo 2020 showcased 5 distinct biking classes, specifically observe biking, street biking, mountain biking, BMX racing, and BMX freestyle. In current occasions, one nation has indisputably taken middle stage in relation to medal counts – Nice Britain.
France, because the report holder, at the moment leads the pack with a formidable 41 gold medals in complete. Nonetheless, the British contingent is merely three gold medals shy of eclipsing that report. In actual fact, lately, they’ve quickly closed the hole. Nice Britain has emerged as essentially the most profitable nation in biking on the earlier 4 Olympic Video games, constantly amassing a dozen gold medals in 2012, 2016, and 2020. Taking everyone abruptly, they triumphed with an astonishing 14 gold medals in Beijing 2008. It’s value noting that the highest three most profitable male cyclists in Olympic historical past hail from Nice Britain, boasting a formidable mixed complete of 24 medals. If that wasn’t sufficient, essentially the most triumphant feminine bike owner (who ranks fourth general) additionally calls Nice Britain her dwelling. Discuss a formidable pedigree.
Sir Bradley Wiggins
Sir Bradley Wiggins made historical past in 2012 by turning into the primary Brit to triumph within the illustrious Tour De France, a race with a legacy spanning over a century. Choosing up the yellow jersey is one thing his compatriot Adam Yates hopes to do subsequent 12 months, and he’s been made the 33/1 seventh-favourite by sports activities betting websites to triumph within the esteemed race. However even when he wins it, he may have some approach to go earlier than he receives a knighthood by royalty, one thing that Wiggins already has underneath his belt.
The 44-year-old biking legend has clinched a exceptional eight Olympic medals for his nation, together with a formidable haul of 5 golds, cementing his legacy as his nation’s most profitable ever Olympian. In actual fact, he even achieved the extraordinary feat of securing gold in 4 consecutive occasions. Undoubtedly, Wiggins shone brightest in Athens 2004, the place he emerged triumphant with three separate medals on the tender age of simply 24 – certainly one of every shade, for good measure.
Chris Froome
Chris Froome miraculously snatched 4 Tour De France yellow jerseys in simply 5 years, together with a formidable three consecutive victories in 2015, 2016, and 2017. He grew to become the primary bike owner because the legendary Miguel Indurain to attain a hat trick of wins within the early 90s when the Spaniard dominated the game, selecting up 5 consecutive victories. In fact, then got here Lance Armstrong within the 90s and 2000s, however his doping-tainted vicrtories have been faraway from the official counts.
What units the Kenyan-born Brit aside is that he selected to skip the Olympics and as a substitute centered all his power on dominating street excursions. Trying again now, we will say it was an excellent choice. His contribution to biking earned him an OBE in 2016, and whereas that isn’t fairly a knighthood gentle compatriot Wiggins, he has undoubtedly obtained recognition for his exceptional achievements.
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