Sir Bradley: Wonderful Madness! The Czechs Brought Me Back to Tour de France Mode

He dazzled with his willingness and friendliness. In return, he received overwhelming support along the entire route. Bradley Wiggins, ambassador of Škoda We Love Cycling, enjoyed a unique atmosphere during the Kopcovité L’Etape Czech Republic by Tour de France on the third Saturday in June. "The Czech Republic brought me back to Tour de France mode," said the grateful 45-year-old cyclist who won the Tour de France in the 2012 season and earned Olympic gold five times during his career.

Before Kopcovité L’Etape Czech Republic by Tour de France, he arrived in the Czech Republic on Friday afternoon, accompanied by his partner Courtney and his manager. He participated in a discussion with fans in Prague at Strahov in the L’Etape village. He signed autographs, posed for selfies, and gave several interviews. The crowd eager for photos and autographs from the British cycling legend was extraordinary.

Then he took a seat on the podium and patiently answered questions from cycling enthusiasts who came to the prelude of the biggest domestic event for amateur cyclists. "During my racing career, I met different generations of cyclists. But Lance Armstrong had a special aura. He was accompanied by men who carried guns at their waists. He transcended the boundaries of cycling," he answered one question from the crowd. "Life is also about suffering. Overcoming obstacles. Just like cycling," philosophized Bradley Wiggins before the race, which had over three thousand registered participants, marking a record turnout.

The conversation turned to music, and Bradley Wiggins announced that among his favorites was the American band The Doors. Fans were also curious how he was looking forward to the climbs in the Kopcovité stage of L’Etape Czech Republic. "Hills are not fun. They are always a challenge. The biggest climb of my professional career was Mont Ventoux," highlighted Bradley Wiggins, referring to the legendary climb nicknamed the Bald Mountain or Giant of Provence.

"Three years before my Tour de France victory, I fought for a podium finish here in the penultimate stage. I was fifteen seconds behind Lance and hoped for the first time in my life to leave a Grand Tour among the top three. But I lost by thirty-seven seconds overall," recalled the nine-time world champion sitting over the sun-drenched evening Prague. "Also, it is a fateful mountain for British cycling," Bradley Wiggins reminded, as Tom Simpson, a rider, died on Mont Ventoux during the 1967 Tour de France.

Saturday, the race day, did not start perfectly for the Tour de France champion. Just as he was ready to start in the first row wearing the Škoda We Love Cycling jersey, the rear tire of his carbon Ventum bike exploded on the heated road in rising temperatures. A quick intervention by mechanics from the rider service "extinguished" the looming disaster, and Bradley Wiggins was able to take part in the ceremonial start by cutting the ribbon, then head out to cover the kilometers of the race, which included three different distances.

He enjoyed the applause he received. First at the packed Strahov, then in Unhošť and other places along the race route. In Žilina, he passed the sprint bonus with his hands raised above his head. His partner Courtney Kott, accompanying the British rider throughout the route, distributed smiles just like the Tour de France winner himself. Along the long race route, he also did an autograph signing at the Khulna Kaava café in Sýkořice.

Bradley Wiggins first took a short break with coffee and a sweet cake, then settled into an armchair and watched the battle in the largest peloton on Czech roads with a view of the Křivoklát hills. He gave due time to fans, who gathered in smaller hundreds at one of the sixteen official fan points.

The British cyclist patiently signed autographs on prepared autograph cards, paper fans decorated with the ambassador's likeness, or a start "number" with the inscription Sir Wiggo, recalling the prestigious honor awarded to the first British Tour de France winner by Queen Elizabeth herself.

Many cycling fans brought the biography of the five-time Olympic champion with the wish for an autograph in the book. Bradley Wiggins gladly signed everything. The greatest interest was in a joint photo. There aren’t many cyclists who can boast a Tour de France title, eight Olympic medals (five gold), nine world championships, and an hour record. Sir Wiggins was as friendly to photos with preschool children as to snapshots with elderly ladies or cycling veterans who came for the unique experience.

"The cheesecake was fantastic," smiled the British legend’s partner happily. "Great environment, great atmosphere. I got energy for the remaining kilometers," praised Bradley Wiggins before getting back on his bike and heading for more kilometers.

During the second half of the route returning to Prague, he did not refuse any requests for a photo at the refreshment stops. Here too, Bradley Wiggins willingly signed autographs, carefully refilling fluids into his bottles in the hot afternoon.

Several times, he pulled a mobile phone from the Škoda We Love Cycling jersey pocket to record videos or take photos. "The route was great. The landscape was fantastic. And the roads were very high quality, which enhanced the whole experience. Definitely an exceptional day in the saddle," praised Bradley Wiggins, ambassador of Škoda We Love Cycling Kopcovité stage L’Etape Czech Republic by Tour de France 2025.

"I absolutely enjoyed it despite the quite hot weather. The fans were amazing. Some were wonderfully crazy like at the Tour de France. I saw incredible enthusiasm for cycling among the Czechs. Both on the bikes during the race and along the roads," said Bradley Wiggins when he arrived at the finish line at Strahov.

At the finish area, he gave several interviews and later analyzed everything with Petr Čech, who completed the Medium route of L’Etape in three hours and seven minutes. While racing kilometers are routine for the British rider, it was a racing premiere for the former fantastic football goalkeeper. "Bradley especially praised the atmosphere. He repeatedly highlighted the fans. He also complimented the safety of the route. It’s great when a legend like him gives us such a positive review," said the co-owner of the organizing agency.

"Cycling is wonderful because it has the magic of bringing people together. That’s why so many people love it. And Saturday was clear proof of that," Bradley Wiggins said farewell to Strahov after the fifth edition of Kopcovité L’Etape Czech Republic by Tour de France.