Mallorca celebrates Wiggins’ BBC Sports Personality win
14.5 million Brits tuned in to watch Bradley Wiggins crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year last night. 1,000 miles away, expats in Mallorca were also celebrating the cyclist’s victory as Bradley has adopted the Balearic Island as his training destination of choice.
2012 Tour de France winner (the first British winner since it began in 1903) and seven-time Olympic medallist, four of them gold, down-to-earth Bradley is as known for his love of mod music and style as he is for his sport. At last night’s London ExCeL ceremony he accepted his trophy from the Duchess of Cambridge having won 30.25% of the vote pushing Olympic heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis into second place. Plenty of televisions in Mallorca were tuned in to watch.
Dan Marsh, owner of Mallorca-based boutique cycling holiday company, marsh-mallows.com, says, “With just a short flying time from the UK, Mallorca is the perfect playground for the likes of Bradley and his professional Team Sky cycling buddies. Many of Team GB also trained here before the London Olympics. The climate means that they can grind out the early season kilometres, relatively undetected, on great roads with low levels of traffic. The flat plains of the heart of the Island contrasted with the lofty Tramuntana Mountains provide the ideal mix of terrain. Meanwhile the hairpin bends of Sa Calobra and Salvador, with gradients into double figures in parts, certainly raise the heart rate and mirror some of the alpine challenges that they will face later on in the season.”
The large number of low cost airlines servicing Mallorca mean that hundreds of thousands of cyclists head to Mallorca for spring and autumn training on the very roads that the professionals tackle day in day out. If you add culture, breathtaking scenery and world-class gastronomy, there is plenty to do when you're not on the bike.
Bradley’s favourite resort is Puerto Pollensa in the north-eastern corner of Mallorca. Describing it as a “home from home” he was quoted whilst on holiday there in August this year as saying, “The weather's usually great, it's easy to get to, it's relaxing any time of the year and it has very few lads partying – the last thing you want if you're after a quiet family holiday." And rumour has it he’s now house hunting on the Island for a permanent bolthole. Agent Mallorca Sotheby’s International Realty has picked out his perfect property. Not only does it command views over Bradley’s beloved Pollensa, but the artist owner has also created wrought iron cyclist sculptures in the garden - this house has Bradley’s name on it.
Ref 5750 – Finca, Pollensa, Mallorca
From its elevated position between Pollensa town and Puerto Pollensa, this unique finca enjoys breathtaking 360 degree views towards the Bay of Pollensa and the surrounding mountains. Offering complete privacy and tranquillity, the property is full of character with many endearing features such as original beams, substantial lovingly planted gardens, ornamental ponds, numerous terraces and two swimming pools - one of which is heated. The property comprises a large living room with fireplace, dining area, separate kitchen, four bedrooms, two of which are en-suite, a further family bathroom plus a large artists’ studio. Most rooms have terrace access and enjoy those wonderful views. Within the grounds is an independent one bedroom guest house plus a workshop suitable for conversion alongside various storerooms. A truly enchanting property.
Five bedrooms, Four bathrooms
Built area 360m², Plot size 9,000m²
Price – 3.5 million euros (approx 2.8 million pounds)
For more information, visit mallorca-sothebysrealty.com.
