Virgin Galactic acknowledges Branson's pre-launch bike ride never happened

FILE PHOTO: Richard Branson arrives by bicycle to Spaceport America near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, U.S. July 5, 2021, in a still image from a video. Virgin Galactic/Handout via REUTERS

(Reuters) - Virgin Galactic Holding Inc acknowledged on Tuesday that billionaire founder Richard Branson never rode a bicycle to the launch site of his space flight on Sunday, as depicted in a highly publicized video included in the company's webcast of the event.

The video clip showed Branson riding his bike toward New Mexico's state-owned Spaceport America near the town of Truth or Consequences, flanked by two SUVs, and handing his safety helmet to an assistant upon arrival.