Bradley Wiggins and Team Sky preparing for the Tour de France

 

We have just heard from Bradley Wiggins that he will not be riding at the Nationals, as he will be in Spain preparing quietly for the Tour de France and following a strict plan that has been prepared for him by his coach Rod Ellingworth.

 

"Whilst we are of course disappointed, we respect Bradley's decision and will be supporting him all the way to Paris, where I'm convinced he can do even better than last year. Meanwhile, we'll have a cracking race at the National Championships, on totally closed roads in the beautiful Pendle countryside.

 

All the other British Team Sky riders will be there, as will Mark Cavendish, David Millar, Roger Hammond, Kristian House and every other top rider. With Nicole Cooke facing the biggest ever challenge from Emma Pooley and her Cervelo teammates in the Women's event in the morning, it's going to be a fabulous day of bike racing!"

 

Brian Cookson, Executive Director Pendle Borough Council & President, British Cycling