Chris Hoy apologises after saying he 'feels sorry for Mamils' and compares them to 'overweight football fans'
'Whatever your age and build, if you're on a bike you have my respect.

Chris Hoy has apologised for an article in which he wrote that he "feels sorry for Mamils" and that riders wearing professional team kit "look as ridiculous as an overweight football fan wearing the shirt of his favourite club for a pub five-a-side game".
In the article, published in men's fashion magazine GQ, the six-time Olympic gold medallist gave his tips on how to look good on a bike.
>>> Tips from the pros: How to look like a pro rider
That included saying that he felt sorry for Mamils as people sniggered at them as they walked into cafes, and that "professional cycling gear generally looks awful on pretty much anyone heavier than eight stone."
However Hoy has now apologised for the article, writing on Twitter that the article wasn't written tongue-in-cheek and that he did not intend to cause offence.
To be fair to Hoy, he does end the article with some pretty useful "rules of the road", including not wearing underwear under shorts, and never wearing "terribly unflattering" white shorts.
Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Henry Robertshaw began his time at Cycling Weekly working with the tech team, writing reviews, buying guides and appearing in videos advising on how to dress for the seasons. He later moved over to the news team, where his work focused on the professional peloton as well as legislation and provision for cycling. He's since moved his career in a new direction, with a role at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
-
-
'This is an emergency': West Midlands' cycling head on Birmingham's need for bike infrastructure
Adam Tranter's plea for action comes after two cycling deaths in just over two weeks in second city
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Cyclist rides 'eye-catching' bamboo bike in 3,000-mile UK tour
Kate Strong, holder of three world records, says she plans to stick with bamboo for a while
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
‘British Cycling has seriously let down its membership’ - Green Party slams British Cycling's Shell deal
Green Party spokesperson says governing body has also 'let down the British public'
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
‘Drivers and cyclists need to be less tribal, we are just people trying to get around,’ says Sir Chris Hoy
Sir Chris Hoy says drivers and cyclists need to be less tribal, and accept that “we’re just people trying to get around.”
By Alex Ballinger • Published
-
Sir Chris Hoy calls for end to ‘us and them’ mentality between cyclists and drivers
Sir Chris Hoy said drivers and cyclists need to put themselves in each other’s shoes to improve road safety.
By Alex Ballinger • Published
-
Chris Hoy: 'It's the right time for British cycling to have a shake-up'
Olympic track sprint gold medallist Sir Chris Hoy says that British cycling has been 'challenged' but not tarnished by recent revelations
By Nigel Wynn • Published
-
British Cycling confirms HSBC sponsorship deal
Sir Chris Hoy says the deal will "help anyone who wants to get on a bike" right up to the elite levels of the sport.
By Vern Pitt • Published
-
Sir Chris Hoy on Shane Sutton: "I have never met anyone who gave so much"
Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy issues statement on Shane Sutton, saying that his "his uncompromising approach yielded unparalleled results"
By Nigel Wynn • Published
-
Sir Chris Hoy to race at Le Mans 24 hour event
The track legend to take on a new challenge
By James Smurthwaite • Published
-
March 23 is a great day to be born if you want to be an Olympic gold medallist
Sir Chris Hoy and Jason Kenny were born on March 23, as were Sir Steve Redgrave and Mo Farah
By Stuart Clarke • Published