Brad's early cycling hero was Tom Simpson. In the 1960s Tom’s name was as well-known to the British public as Bradley was in 2012, having become the first - and still only - Briton to win the Tour of Flanders, aged just 23. Tom was hugely popular, and was even voted Sports Personality of the Year at a time when cycling needed a big name to boost its profile in the UK.

Brad and Tom are interlinked in ways you wouldn’t think possible. From family connections, to their status as British national sporting heroes through their pioneering achievements on two wheels. 

In this episode, Brad and Graham are joined by Tom's nephew, cycling journalist, photographer and publisher Chris Sidwells, to celebrate Tom's career and discuss the tragic events that led to his death just one kilometre from the summit of the brutal climb of Mont Ventoux during the 1967 Tour de France.

Brad reveals how, without Tom, he may never have become a cyclist at all and shares how he paid special tribute to him when he raced the stage in 2009. 

And Brad and Chris debate which cyclist's panache would see them added to the profile of our Ultimate Tour Rider.

Find out more about The Tom Simpson Cycling Festival

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Café Aficionado is sponsored by CAMS, the UKs leading accident management company helping thousands of cyclists get back on the road.
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Credits

Presented by⁠ Sir Bradley Wiggins⁠ and Graham Willgoss

Guest: Chris Sidwells

Researcher: Luca Unwin

Production Manager: Ross Aitken

Social Video Producer: Rosie Mansfield

YouTube Editor: Theo Stocklin

Produced and Edited by: Toby Gilles

Executive Producers: Faye Stewart, Ashley Unwin & Dominic de Terville

Recorded at: London Broadcast Studio

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