James beats Wiggins to Tour de France finishing line

Last updated at 10:35, Wednesday, 25 July 2012

BRADLEY Wiggins may have become the first British winner of the Tour de France.

But a Hexham cyclist beat him to the finish line in Paris – by seven days.
James Thompson pedalled the whole of the 3,500km route, completing all 20 stages in 20 days, exactly one week ahead of the professionals.
The 22-year-old took part in the Tour de Force charity challenge, and has raised more than £1,500 in aid of the William Wates Memorial Trust, a London-based charity which supports disadvantaged young people.
James, who has just finished a four-year degree in building surveying at Plymouth University, started the mammoth task on June 24, in Liege, Belgium, before arriving in Paris on July 16.

First published at 10:27, Wednesday, 25 July 2012
Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk