Rider Profile
Sir Bradley Wiggins heads into 2013 on the back of one the most successful seasons ever achieved in the sport.
The Londoner got his campaign off to a flyer with a time trial triumph at the Volta ao Algarve before taking stage wins on his way to overall victories at Paris-Nice, Tour de Romandie and the Criterium du Dauphine.
Buoyed by that success, Wiggins pressed on to become the first British winner of the Tour de France, and then brought the curtain down on a record-breaking campaign by winning his fourth Olympic gold medal in the time trial.
With six world track titles also secured and his profile at an all-time high, the newly crowned Knight of the Realm will refocus his objectives ahead of a new season as Team Sky look to continue their stage race momentum.
Q & A
Who inspired you to start cycling?
My dad was a cyclist but the thing I remember most is Chris Boardman winning the Olympics in 1992.How would you like to inspire others?
By the way I ride my bike and the way I race.First bike:
It was a Ribble.First cycling club:
The Archer Road Club in west London.Childhood hero:
Miguel Indurain and Sean Yates.What has cycling taught you?
I've never done anything else so it's given me everything and it's made me the person I am today.How do you keep going when you're on the limit?
I go into my own world, think about my effort and whether I can sustain it.What does it feel like to have good form?
It's hard to describe because you're in such deep concentration but when you can cope with the pain it inspires you to go harder.Previous teams:
2001 Linda McCartney Racing Team; 2002-03 Francaise des Jeux; 2004-05 Credit Agricole; 2006-07 Cofidis; 2008 Team High Road; 2009 Garmin-Slipstream.Favourite race:
Paris-Roubaix. The cobbles, the length of it, finishing on the cobbles, it's iconic.
Favourite ride:
I used to enjoy riding out of London when I was younger but none stand out in particular.Career highlight:
The London Olympics. Winning the Tour and then the time trial 10 days later, in front of all those people, it's never going to get any better than that.If you weren't a rider, what would you be?
I don't know because I've never done anything else.Interests away from cycling:
Spending as much time as I can with my family.Favourite film:
PlatoonFavourite music:
The JamMost famous person you've met:
The QueenInteresting fact:
I'm a big collector, whether it's records, guitars or scooters.
Career Highlights
2004
Olympic Games - Gold individual pursuit; silver team pursuit, bronze Madison;
2005
Tour de l'Avenir - 1st stage eight; Circuit de Lorraine - 1st stage two (TT)
2007
Four Day of Dunkirk - 1st stage one (TT); Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré - 1st prologue; Tour du Poitou Charentes - 1st stage four (TT)
2008
Olympic Games - Gold, individual pursuit, gold team pursuit
2009
Herald Sun Tour - 1st overall, 1st stage five (TT); Tour of Qatar - 1st stage one (TTT); Three Days of De Panne - 1st stage 3b (TT); Tour de France - 3rd overall; British National Time Trial Championships - 1st
2010
Tour of Qatar - 1st stage one (TTT); Giro d'Italia - 1st stage one (TT); British National Time Trial Championships - 1st
2011
Criterium du Dauphine - 1st overall; Vuelta a Espana - 3rd overall; Paris-Nice - 3rd overall; British National Road Race Championship - 1st; Bayern-Rundfahrt - 1st stage four; World Time Trial Championships - 2nd
2012
Tour de France - 1st overall, two stage wins; Olympic Games - Gold, time trial; Criterium du Dauphine - 1st overall, 1st stage four (TT); Paris-Nice - 1st overall, 1st stage eight (TT); Tour de Romandie - 1st overall, two stage wins; Volta ao Algarve - 1st stage five (TT)
