Tour de France Froome victory sure to get more people cycling

Chris Froome
CTC's Chief Executive Gordon Seabright has added the charity's congratulations to the list of those praising Chris Froome's "brilliant" Tour de France victory. Gordon said "The growth in cycling will surely continue following Team Sky's sporting success."

The 28-year-old was set to win as he led by more than five minutes going into the last day of the epic three-week road race - and there was no challenging him on the traditional procession into Paris.

As Team Sky crossed the finish line on the Champs-Élysées, hands linked in triumph, social media erupted with messages of congratulations.

And, with everyone tweeting and celebrating GB's 2nd TdF triumph in just two years, there's surely no better time to Get Britain Cycling.

David Cameron and Ed Miliband took to Twitter to congratulate Froome on his win with the Prime Minister tweeting: "A brilliant win by @chrisfroome.

"After two British winners it's only right the Tour de France comes to Yorkshire next year."

The Number 10 Twitter account added that Froome's win "confirms British dominance in cycling".

Ed Miliband described the victory as "fantastic", adding: "Another brilliant day for British cycling."

Earlier yesterday, six-time Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy said that Froome's victory was a "huge achievement", and that Britain's back-to-back wins were "monumental".

"It is a huge achievement and I almost feel sorry for Chris because people are almost getting blasé about it," Sir Chris said.

Speaking at the National Lottery Anniversary Run at London's Olympic Stadium, he added: "For Britain to have two riders winning the Tour de France back-to-back is fantastic for British cycling.

"Just a few years ago we did not have anyone who could podium but now we have two cyclists who can win the Tour in consecutive years, it is a phenomenal achievement and what Chris has done is phenomenal."

Sir Bradley Wiggins pulled out of this year's race through injury, meaning that his Kenyan-born fellow Team Sky rider immediately became the hot favourite to bring home the honours.

Sir Chris said: "I think it would have been lovely to have seen Bradley racing this year and it would have been fantastic to see both him and Chris competing. Last year was Bradley's year and this year is Chris's."

Welsh hurdler Dai Greene tweeted his congratulations for Froome, saying:
"Team sky did amazing. Massive congratulations to @chrisfroome, what a worthy winner"

Broadcaster Gary Lineker also took to the social networking site to voice his delight, tweeting: "Congratulations to @chrisfroome on a stunning #TourDeFrance victory. A monumental effort."

Meanwhile, Minister for Sport Hugh Robertson said: "Congratulations to Chris Froome, Dave Brailsford and all at Team Sky for Froome's fantastic Tour De France win.

"He rode superbly for three weeks and no doubt will have inspired even more people to participate in cycling."

Team GB recalled memories of London 2012's Super Saturday in their congratulatory tweet, saying: "Congratulations to Chris Froome. 2013 Tour de France winner. #SuperSunday"

For more, see BBC and ITV4 coverage.