Lizzie Armitstead’s silver medal in the women’s road race and a never-say-die performance in the men’s have given the whole of the Team GB cycling team a boost.
After two days without cycling at London 2012, there is action at Hampton Court Palace today with the time-trials. Armitstead and Emma Pooley, who contributed so much to Sunday’s success, are in the women’s event from 12.30pm while Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome contest the men’s from 2.15pm.
After that it is into a six-day track programme from August 2, starting with the team pursuit qualifying in which Andy Tennant hopes to play a big role. And the 25-year-old confirmed the trackies have been lifted by performances on the road.
“I think Cav’s performance gave a boost, the unity with the Great Britain team was fantastic,” he said. “They all rode for this guy who had a dream team, as he described it. There are not many teams who would unite like that.
“Lizzie Armitstead won a silver medal the next day which was fantastic. I know she was extremely happy with that.
“One of the soigneurs was telling us that she was coming over the line crying with tears of happiness and joy which is fantastic to hear.
“Everyone was watching the road race, we were actually in the velodrome at the time. It was on the big screen so when she got silver we were all cheering - not quite as loudly as the Dutch, who’d just won but it was fantastic to see.”
Today’s time trial starts in the former home of Henry VIII, skirts Walton Common on the way to Cobham before heading back to Hampton Court Park. The men’s course adds in a trip to Teddington and a loop through East and West Molesley.
