Herne Hill velodrome supporters believe Bradley Wiggins's gold medal at the Olympics will create a surge of interest in the sport – and hopefully lead to more renovation of the facilities.

Phil Wright, from the Friends of Herne Hill velodrome, said the velodrome was getting busier since Wiggins’ triumph in the cycling time trials last week. He said: “The immediate effect is a lot more people come along.

“It does mean a lot more children and adults thought ‘I would like to have a go’.”
Mr Wright also hoped that investors would come forward and Wiggins would return there.
 On Friday, cyclists at the centre said they would be asking Wiggins to race there again in a bid to raise money to modernise the club’s facilities.

Mr Wright said: “We feel he is a son of Herne Hill velodrome.”
Wiggins, 32, began his cycling career at the age of 12 where he trained at the 120-year-old velodrome, which is the only cycling venue still in use since the 1948 London Olympics.

Campaigners have invited the Tour de France and Olympic hero back to help raise money to revamp the club’s crumbling pavilion and indoor site, which is currently an abandoned building.
Head coach, Ian Cook, told how sociable Wiggins last came to the club in 2007 and 2003 where he participated in several races including a 10-minute pursuit event.

The coach, who began his career as an eight-year-old cyclist at the club, said: “The council has invited him back here to his local track, he will most likely come after the season ends. Wiggins has always been proud of his roots and proud to be a Londoner who started his career here at the velodrome. He is a really nice guy who is really proud of where he comes from.”

When asked where the money raised would go he said: “We would get the indoor space done up and get more changing room and shower    facilities.
“The current building is derelict at the moment, so we would like to have a new building. Then we could provide facilities for more people, and go indoors when the weather is bad.
“Wiggins is a phenomenal athlete. He is one of the team members who brought great success to cycling through      Beijing and the Tour de France. He has made a name for cycling.”

Student and velodrome coach Alec Briggs said he was sure Wiggins would come back.
He said: “Bradley Wiggins is a man of respect and his heart is in the right place.
“Cyclists don’t forget where they came from.”

Although run down and derelict, parents described the venue as a “hidden gem” in south London, which provides something for everyone.


Mother-of-one, Susan Edley said: “We are all big Olympic fans. I have not been this excited in such a long time. My daughter is cheering on Bradley and we’re all so excited to see him win more medals.”

The club that caters for all ages and abilities seems to be having a positive impact on both children and adults despite its condition.

The mature youngsters now aspire to be world famous cyclists like Victoria Pendleton and Bradley Wiggins.

One 11-year-old school boy and cyclist said: “I want to be a mix of Bradley Wiggins, Mike Cavendish and Chris Hoy. Bradley Wiggins is just really good.”

Another youngster said: “I want to be a road and track
cyclist. I have been following the Olympics a lot. If Wiggins came here to cycle I would definitely come and see him.

“If I could ask him one question, it would be how often did you train and how did you get scouted.”

Coach and school teacher Alan Noble said: “It is brilliant that they are hoping to get Wiggins back. This is where Wiggins started out, and this is a great start to the campaign to get this place up again.”

Streatham bike shop owner Maurice Burton, a friend of Wiggins’ late father who first knew Wiggins when he was a baby, said he is now the greatest cyclist ever.

Mr Burton, who has owned Der Ver Cycles Shop in Streatham High Road for 25 years, cheered Wiggins on at Kingston Bridge as he rode to Olympic victory.

He said: “I would say that with what he’s done there now he’s got to be the best cyclist ever. 
“I don’t think there is any other cyclist who has achieved what he has within a matter of two weeks.”

The Herne Hill velodrome is a community facility open to allthose who want to get involved in
cycling.

For more information visit hernehillvelodrome.com.