[dropcap type=”circle”]I[/dropcap]n 1992, Wirral’s Chris Boardman MBE became the first British man to win an Olympic cycling medal since 1920 – it was Gold, of course.
Among his many achievements, the 47-year-old, from Hoylake claimed the yellow jersey in the Tour de France multiple times and inspired a generation of elite cyclists from Sir Bradley Wiggins to Sir Chris Hoy.
His long-awaited autobiography, Triumphs and Turbulence, is finally due for publication this June.
Chris said: “I’ve been asked to write my autobiography a lot over the years but I finally gave in and got on with it.
“I wrote it all myself which meant it was 2.5 years late getting to the publisher.
“It’s not just about cycling, it’s about all the extraordinary people I have met along the way and the extraordinary experiences my cycling career has allowed me.
“I remember I was once asked to open a gym at RAF Kinloss in Scotland but I turned it down as it was too far to travel. They came back to me and said they would send a Nimrod jet to pick me and my bike up from Liverpool Airport, which turned into quite an experience.
“My life has been atypical and I have been lucky enough to have so many wonderful experiences and that’s what I wanted to include in the book.”
Boardman’s name first sprang into the public eye when he took Britain’s opening Gold medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics astride the infamous Lotus bike.
The iconic image of the Lotus and unique pointy helmet linked Chris forever with cutting edge technology, something he later went on to reinforce by leading the R&D team for GB Cycling in the run up to Beijing, where they became the most successful British sporting team of all time.
Between Barcelona and Beijing, Chris won three stages of the Tour de France, set numerous world records (several of which still stand) and became arguably Britain’s most successful cyclist to date.
For one of the world’s most famous cycling stars, Boardman says his real passion in life is now scuba diving. He also enjoys running and can be spotted out and about on Caldy Hill, West Kirby Marine Lake and on the beach boardwalk between Hoylake and West Kirby.
Boardman, who is married with six children and now lives in Gayton, has been patron of the Wirral Bikeathon for the past 19 years and became even more involved with the charity event after a friend was diagnosed with leukaemia.
He said: “I think the reason the event has lasted so long and is so popular is because it was one of the original sportive events, designed for normal people to have a go at a personal challenge.
“It has stuck to its guns, it is a family event not a sporting event. Of course, some people will race the course but generally it’s just a really nice thing to do on a Sunday morning with your family and friends.
“We have lots of people coming back year after year to do it. It is a relatively flat course and you can choose 14 or 30 miles, so it is very doable for most people.”
Hundreds of riders are expected to take part in this year’s Bikeathon, which will take place on Sunday June 12, and aims to raise money for Bloodwise, which was formerly known as Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research.
The first Wirral Bikeathon was held in 1999 when 700 riders took part and raised an astonishing £23,000. The event has been held every year since then, raising a total of £800,000.
Online registration is open until 5 June and can be accessed via the website at www.wirralbikeathon.com
Chris will also be holding an exclusive signing of his new book on 21st June at 12.30pm at Linghams Booksellers in Heswall. Tickets cost just £5 and are redeemable against the purchase of his book.
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