Sky goes behind the scenes of Bradley Wiggins’ remarkable year in feature length documentary A Year In Yellow
2012 has been the most successful year ever for Bradley Wiggins; he became the first British winner of the Tour de France and took Gold in the London 2012 Olympics road time trial. Over the course of this remarkable year, Sky and director John Dower (Thriller in Manila) were granted exclusive access to the Team Sky and Team GB rider, culminating in a feature length film BRADLEY WIGGINS – A YEAR IN YELLOW, which will air on Sky Atlantic HD on Wednesday 21 November at 10pm, exclusive to Sky customers.
BRADLEY WIGGINS – A YEAR IN YELLOW is an in-depth, no-holds barred documentary that explores how one of Britain’s brightest sport stars balances his professional and personal life. Cameras follow Olympic Gold medallist Wiggins as he takes on some of Europe’s toughest races in the build-up to his ultimate goal – winning the esteemed Tour de France. With exclusive access to those closest to him, the film captures the man behind the headlines, from his arduous training schedule that takes him away from his family for months at a time to how he copes with huge media pressure.
Wiggins said: “It’s good that John stalking me for an entire year has paid off. This film is a great insight into my life and my experiences training for and competing in the Tour de France and the Olympics.”
Dower said: “The first time I met Bradley Wiggins he said, ‘I don't know who me is’. To be able to follow him over the last year, as he attempted the extraordinary double of the Tour De France Yellow Jersey and Olympic Gold, and discover who ‘me is’ was one of the highlights of my filmmaking career.”
The documentary forms part of Sky Atlantic HD’s strategy to bring immersive and innovative content to screen from both sides of the Atlantic, from award-winning MAD MEN and GAME OF THRONES to UK-originations such as HIT & MISS, created by Paul Abbott and starring Chloe Sevigny and THE BRITISH, the channel’s first foray into high-end factual; an epic reconstruction of the history of our nation.
Elaine Pyke, Director, Sky Atlantic HD said: “It has been an epic year for British Cycling, with Bradley Wiggins becoming the first ever Brit to win the Tour de France, then take Olympic Gold. At Sky we are proud of the role we’ve played in this remarkable journey and I am thrilled to bring Bradley’s story exclusively to Sky Atlantic HD customers.”
Sky has been the principal partner of British Cycling since early 2008 and is committed to the partnership until the end of 2016. In October 2012 it was announced that they had beaten their goal of getting one million more Britons on their bikes and cycling regularly by 2013. The ambitious five-year target was set in 2008 as a way of measuring the success of a partnership that has aimed to grow the sport at all levels, from the grassroots to the elite.
BRADLEY WIGGINS – A YEAR IN YELLOW will air exclusively on Sky Atlantic HD and Sky Atlantic + 1 on Wednesday 21 November at 10pm. Following the addition of Sky Atlantic HD to Sky Go, customers will also be able to watch BRADLEY WIGGINS – A YEAR IN YELLOW on the move on iPad, selected smartphones and laptops at no extra cost.
Notes to editor
About Sky
Sky entertains and excites more than 10.4 million homes through the most comprehensive multichannel, multi-platform television service in the UK and Ireland. Sky continues to break new ground with its own portfolio of channels: Sky 1 combines its commitment to UK production with the best of the US; Sky Living pushes ahead with fresh and innovative entertainment formats; Sky Arts is the UK's only dedicated arts channel brand; Sky Atlantic is the home to HBO and other iconic drama and comedy, Sky Sports is still raising the bar in sports broadcasting; Sky News remains a pioneer in television news; and Sky Movies is leading the way in High Definition and on-demand.
Sky also works with dozens of other broadcasters on the satellite platform, as well as online and on mobile through the ground-breaking Sky Go service. Sky has also led the UK into the age of high definition television, launched Europe's first 3DTV channel, Sky 3D, and offers customer even more flexibility and choice through Sky Anytime+, its internet-delivered video on demand service. Since launching Sky Broadband and Sky Talk in 2006, the company has also been the UK's fastest-growing home communications provider.
Sky believes in making a wider contribution to the communities in which it operates, not least by increasing participation in, and access to, the arts, supporting grassroots sports, and taking positive action on the environment.
About Sky and Cycling
· Sky is the principal partner of British Cycling the governing body for cycling in the UK, both at an elite and grass root level. In October 2012, the partnership achieved a shared goal of getting 1 million more people cycling regularly by 2013.
· Sky Ride City rides are free one day cycling events offering people of all ages and abilities the chance to ride their bike on traffic free streets or on cycle paths/parks in the heart of major cities and towns across Britain.
· Last year there were over 17 Sky Ride City events taking place across the UK in major cities and towns like Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Southampton, London, and Hull and over 200,000 people took part in a Sky Ride event. In 2012 there will be 17 Sky Ride city events taking place across the UK giving more people the chance to get out on their bikes.
· Sky Ride Local rides are led by British Cycling Ride Leaders who will guide you through the best routes and are on hand to provide friendly encouragement and guidance, whatever your age or ability.
· There are a range of ride levels to suit all ages and abilities from a beginner who wants to enjoy a leisurely ride off road to challenging rides that include some roads and some hills. Last year saw 825 Sky Ride Locals taking place across the UK with 10,416 people taking part.
· Currently three times more men cycle for fun than women but together British Cycling and Sky want to change that and now through activities like Sky Ride and The Breeze Network they’re starting to close that gap. British Cycling’s Breeze Network is a national network of fun, easy and informal bike rides tailored specifically for women.
· It’s an exciting year for cycling; Sky and British Cycling want the nation to come
together and are inviting everyone to get out on their bikes and get involved on www.goskyride.com