Bradley Wiggins

The Tour de France, saw Wiggins place fourth, thus becoming the joint best placement in the Tour de France by a British cyclist along with Robert Millar who placed fourth in 1984.

Born in Ghent in Belgium, Wiggins was brought up in London and followed in his father's footsteps when he took up cycling. But it was the exploits of Chris Boardman in Barcelona which inspired the twelve-year-old Wiggins to take up the sport. Within six years he had become World Junior Pursuit champion and then turned professional.

In 2003 Wiggins really hit the headlines with victory in the World Championships 4km Individual Pursuit (and silver in the Team Pursuit), to set down a marker for the Olympic games.

In the Team Pursuit at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games Wiggins teamed up with Rob Hayles, Paul Manning, Steve Cumming,  Bryan Steel and Chris Newton to win the silver behind Australia. Wiggins came away from the Athens with a full set of medals. He took gold in the Individual Pursuit, beating his great rival Brad McGee (AUS) in the final. Throughout the competition he posted the fastest times and set a new Olympic record in qualifying. In the 50km Madison (with Hayles) he fought back to take the bronze despite an early fall.

In 2006 he raced in the Tour de France and was appointed London’s Cycling Ambassador by Mayor Ken Livingstone.

Keeping up the pressure on his rivals he took two golds at the UCI World Track Championships in Palma, Mallorca. Victories in the Individual Pursuit and Team Pursuit (with Edward Clancy, Paul Manning and Thomas Geraint) were part of a superb British performance that also saw the team pursuit boys set the third fastest time in history.

His sporting exploits were once again recognised by the Queen and in the New Years Honour List 2009 he received a CBE.

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Last updated August 2009