Sport news from the Lancashire Telegraph - football, cricket, rugby, ice hockey, athletics

A trip to mountainous Essex

9:02am Monday 13th August 2012

When the venue for the Olympic Mountain Bike Races was announced as a farm in Essex owned by the Salvation Army, I think it’s fair to say there was some scepticism, not to say scorn. “But Essex is flat!” the cynics said. Well, tell that to the riders and the 20,000 spectators who today enjoyed a brilliant day’s sport on a testing and challenging course, with climbs, descents, technical sections and every possible challenge for a cross country mountain biker.

• Have your say

Another busy day at the games

9:01am Monday 13th August 2012

First off this morning was a quick tube journey to the launch of the big new Ride London event – a fantastic weekend of road events due for next August, including something for everyone. I was on the top table at the press conference chaired by Gary Lineker with Mayor of London Boris Johnson, featuring the event organisers and our very own new superstar Laura Trott.

• Have your say

The BMX cauldron

9:13am Friday 10th August 2012

A hot and stressful day at the BMX Arena, but no problems for Liam Phillips as he only needed two runs, finishing both in second place, to go through without needing to compete in the remaining three.

• Have your say

How did it all happen?

9:11am Friday 10th August 2012

I’m going to divert a bit today to look at the bigger picture. But first just a quick note on the events here, to say that Shanaze Reade and Liam Phillips both looked good and qualified easily in their first runs in the stunning BMX arena. They’ll surely be going all the way to the finals over the next two days and I’ll be there to add my cheers to the roars of the massive crowd.

• Have your say

Can it get any better?

11:38am Wednesday 8th August 2012

With the Olympic careers of Sir Chris Hoy and Victoria Pendleton coming to a close, how glorious it has been to see Laura Trott’s Olympic journey beginning.

• Have your say

Magic wheels? No, magic heels!

9:15am Wednesday 8th August 2012

Well, it comes to something when the best the opposition can do is to accuse us of using “magic wheels”, as it appears one of the French coaches has done! Shades of Fabian Cancellara being accused of having a miniature engine concealed in his frame.

• Have your say

Ed gets Bronze, Vicky flies by, Jason stays cool

4:51pm Monday 6th August 2012

If ever anyone asks you what it means to be a bike rider at the highest level, what guts and determination you need to succeed, just point them to Ed Clancy. After three rounds of the Team Pursuit, culminating in an Olympic Gold Medal, Ed was up and at it again for the six event Omnium.

• Have your say

More superb velodrome performances

11:47am Monday 6th August 2012

Question: what breaks a world record every time it gets on to the track?

• Have your say

The velodrome erupts!

9:06pm Friday 3rd August 2012

Well after all the waiting here we are finally in the velodrome. The place is packed, the temperature is high, the anticipation is at fever pitch. Will we see a repeat of the domination of Beijing, or will the rest of the world pay us back on our home territory?

• Have your say

An awesome display of time trialling

9:05pm Friday 3rd August 2012

Awesome is a word that is in common use these days. So let’s use awe-inspiring instead. Dictionary definition; causing awe; spectacular; magnificent. No, that’s still not enough, let’s try the synonyms as well; breathtaking, astonishing, impressive, remarkable, wonderful, majestic, stunning. I’ll tell you what, none of these words come close to describing the performance of Bradley Wiggins in today’s Olympic Time Trial.

• Have your say

Pressure is on for our cycling teams

9:03am Wednesday 1st August 2012

No cycling events again today, so a bit of sightseeing, a bit of watching other sports on television, and in the evening a reception at the Royal Opera House given by the British Olympic Association for delegations from around the world.

• Have your say

Chance for reflection on the Games so far

11:01am Tuesday 31st July 2012

No cycling on the Olympic programme today, so a bit of a rest and a chance for reflection for me. So a lie-in, followed by lunch down by Tower Bridge, then an evening reception for the UCI at the world famous Dorchester Hotel on Park Lane – hey, it’s a tough job, but someone’s got to do it!

• Have your say

Opening ceremony was a great start to the games

5:02pm Monday 30th July 2012

What a privilege to be present at such a fantastic event. I hope the television pictures were as good as it felt being there.

• Have your say