For all the intrigue over whether Sir Bradley Wiggins would suffer the indignity of having to grit his teeth and block out the boos, the truth is that it was never likely that his supporters were ever going to transform the start of his journey towards retirement into anything other than a celebration of his golden achievements. Wiggins might be avoiding the media during the London Six Day ride this week, wary of getting drawn into another discussion about those Therapeutic Use Exemptions, but it soon became apparent that he was on safe ground on the track.
On an evening of razzamatazz and colour in east London, the cheerful mood outside the Olympic Velodrome in the hour before the gates opened hardly suggested that Wiggins would later have to stomach criticism from supporters who once worshipped him, that his grand farewell would turn sour. It simply was not that kind of crowd. People turned up from work excited to settle down for an evening of cycling. Parents brought young children along, some of them cycling fanatics, others getting to grips with the sport for the first time.
They relished watching Wiggins race the 40km Madison with another star of British cycling, Mark Cavendish, although the atmosphere did fall flat when they finished third after a frantic surge at the death from the victorious Dutch pair of Yoeri Havik and Wim Stroetinga.
In an unsurprising development, it proved difficult to eavesdrop on any earnest conversations about TUEs. The fallout from revelations last month concerning Wiggins is yet to cool down. Team Sky and Wiggins have been under pressure after his TUEs became public knowledge, leaving the first British winner of the Tour de France open to accusations he had behaved unethically by injecting the powerful corticosteroid, triamcinolone, in 2011, 2012 and 2013, before his most important race of those seasons. They have denied any wrongdoing.
Here, however, punters regarded the first night of competition as a chance to enjoy one of Great Britain’s most successful Olympians racing on home soil. This is his UK swansong, his career set to wind down with one final event in Ghent next month. Wiggins is teaming up with Cavendish in multiple events over the six days of competition . The pair won the Madison world title here in March and have had a love-hate relationship at times.
Derek Sewell had travelled from north Wales with his two sons, all of them eager to see Cavendish and Wiggins in action. “They won’t be booing anyone,” he said.
The first mention of Wiggins over the public address system drew an appreciative cheer from the crowd as the venue began to fill up. There was more support from fans interviewed on the big screen, especially from the younger ones.
Last to make their entrance as the elite riders rolled out, Wiggins and Cavendish were given a huge ovation when they appeared on the stage in the middle. The odd couple engaged in matey banter on stage for a while, playing their roles perfectly.
Briefly, Wiggins turned serious as the microphone was thrust in his face. “It’s just good to get back on my bike,” he said. “I love riding, I was born to ride the Madison. It’s one of the best memories I had as a kid.”
Wiggins and Cavendish were undoubtedly the headline act and the roars were deafening as they set an early pace in the Madison.
If any jeers were directed at Wiggins, it was impossible to hear them over the pop music pumped out by the speakers. As far as those inside the Velodrome were concerned, he is innocent until proven guilty. A hero until proven guilty.
Chris Dabbs was part of a small group of big cycling fans. They had recently cycled 500km to raise money for Bloodwise, a cancer charity. “We’re really looking forward to seeing Bradley Wiggins and all the guys, especially Bradley for the last time,” he said. “My own view is maybe it’s sailing a little close to the wind. But the general cycling public think if those are the rules, those are the rules. Who hasn’t done it, probably? Nothing’s tainted as yet. It’s interesting you say for now – I don’t think we’re talking about Lance Armstrong. I think what we’re talking about is just using the rules and playing the game.”
Madison Sports Group, the event’s organiser, is trying to drum up interest in six‑day racing in this country again. As a form of entertainment, it has its origins in Britain in the late 19th century but the London Six last year was the first time it has been hosted in this country since 1980. There were a few empty seats on Tuesday night but the final four nights are sold out.
It is cycling as showbiz, a deafening beat reverberating off the walls and the low roof, flashing red and blue lights giving the track the look of a nightclub, a DJ playing the tunes on a stage in the middle. With its brilliant acoustics, the Velodrome is the perfect setting for it.
“We need to turn this into a party this evening,” the DJ shouted. The sound of Rihanna filled the Velodrome. The crowd roared. No one was talking about triamcinolone.
