More than 1,000 people turned out for the second annual Ride with Brad sportive in Lancashire yesterday (Sunday 11).

The 2012 Tour de France winner was joined by some of the beneficiaries of the Bradley Wiggins Foundation, including Olympic gold medalists, Laura Trott and Dani King of the Wiggle Honda team.

AN Post’s Kieran Frend, another rider supported by the foundation, also joined the ride, which offered routes of 50km, 100km, and 160km.

Wiggins said: “It’s great to see so many people out on the roads supporting the event and the foundation; this is what cycling is all about.”

“Our goal is to use the event to raise awareness, and importantly, funds so that the foundation can continue to support and help give opportunities in both grassroots and elite sport.”

The Londoner, whose return to form included a crushing victory on the final stage time trial at last month’s the Tour of Poland , will race in next month’s Tour of Britain.

The scale of support witnessed yesterday in Barnoldswick showed that Wiggins’ popularity remains undimmed, despite a difficult season.

Trott and King joined Wiggins on the start line for the 100km event, and were among those who signed autographs for the supporters who turned out. 

Trott, winner earlier this month of the inaugural RideLondon Grand Prix, after a lead out from King, said the Wiggle Honda team was grateful for the support of Bradley Wiggins Foundation.

King added: “We started the ride with Brad which was good because everyone was saying ‘Hi’ to all of us as we were going past. It was a great atmosphere and a great day.

“It’s great to have Bradley on board supporting us; he’s such a fantastic role model to have. I think it’s nice that he’s supporting women’s cycling as well, being such an inspiring cyclist. We’re doing the ride to say thanks and it’s good to be a part of.”