Close-up: Paul Manning

Like many of the Team GB athletes who won gold at the Beijing Olympics, Paul Manning has pledged to lay his reputation on the line at London 2012. The difference is that, while Bradley Wiggins, Chris Hoy and Victoria Pendleton will be sweating in Lycra, Manning is likely to be sweating in a suit on the sidelines. That's because Manning is being taken on as a construction manager by the company building the velodrome for London 2012 – and it had better be ready in time: "I hope I won't still be wearing a hard hat and boots; it should be finished by then," he says.

His triumph in August with the men's pursuit team was the pinnacle of a career that included bronze and silver at Athens in 2004, and numerous national titles. But, with a heaving peloton of young talent on his heels, the 33-year-old thought it wise to put the brakes on post-Beijing. Today, he can be found at the Cycle 08 show, promoting life on two wheels, including Bikeability, the initiative to update the cycling proficiency test and get young people cycling.

"I learned to ride a bike as a kid; it's your transport when you're young," says Manning, who grew up in Staffordshire. "These days not many parents are happy to see their kids cycling on the roads. But it needs to be encouraged. And not just schoolchildren either, but students and young people starting work. It'd be perfect if people could ride a mile or two, improve their health and reduce traffic."

Now he's put his carbon-fibre wondercycle away for good, does Manning commute by bike? "I'm mostly on the train right now; I want to put a bit of distance between me and cycling. But I'm looking forward to meeting a few friends and going out on a ride. Something nice and easy."

Cycle 08 finishes today at Earls Court, London SW5 (www.cycleshow.co.uk)

Interesting? Click here to explore further