With Burke already dropped, Wiggins dragged Clancy and Doull to the line to win by 0.743secs as Australia, with Bobridge dropped inside 3km, second in 3mins 51.008secs.
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“If I’m completely honest, I think there’s a lot of bitter people that didn’t make the grade, got the boot and they have now come out picking holes in things”. But at the same time I understand more than anyone that there are two sides to every story. But it wasn’t until the Athens Games four years later, when he won gold, silver and bronze in three different events, that he truly made the world take notice.
‘I hadn’t really given it much thought until all this happened. “If I have to go to the job center tomorrow and get a job, I can say I have this bronze medal.’ And to be 16 years on with five gold medals myself, I never imagined that for one minute”. Is it Sir Steve Redgrave for his five golds in five successice Games when he only had one chance to win per Games? “It’s just something to tell the kids about when they’re older”. Gong had won silver in the same event at London 2012. Denmark beat New Zealand in the bronze medal match.
“I’m riding the Tour of Britain in two weeks’ time”. It’s about going out and killing off opposition now. Wiggins is gangly and powerful, attributes that suit him perfectly in the controlled environment of a velodrome but aren’t so good for climbing in the Alps.
The time is taken on the third rider and the Welshman clung on.
“He has represented his country and his sport with great distinction over the years, and we at British Cycling are exceptionally proud of Sir Bradley and his team-mates after what was a spectacular performance this evening”.
Clancy, who won his third straight Olympic gold in the four-man, four-kilometres team pursuit, said: “He’s just like the other boys”. Doull was punching the air. I can wake up now (on) Monday and not have to have this.
“I’ve been an Olympic champion for 12 years – it’s something I’ve got used to”.
“Chris has got six, so I haven’t surpassed Chris”.
“My first memory as a child is being there with my dad when he was racing it and the place hasn’t changed”.
The team pursuit squad had moved on in his absence, winning gold in London without their talisman, who focussed his attention on the road and the time trial.
We’re assuming “the girls” are the British women’s pursuit cyclists, who themselves won gold in their race yesterday.
“It is hard to come off and not just spout a load of cliches and emotional stuff”, said Wiggins. “It all came together for us”. “We concentrated on making the best race possible”.
“I just remember thinking “wow”.
“I know Shane better than anyone and I believe he’ll be cleared”.
“Everyone at Team GB is delighted for Sir Bradley, his family, his team-mates and colleagues at British Cycling”.
Though, of course, he didn’t need another gold to prove a point – from his eight rainbow jerseys to his Tour de France victory, his position as a British sporting icon is long secure.
The first people Sir Bradley Wiggins bumped into when he stepped off the track having become Britain’s most decorated Olympian were Sir Steve Redgrave and Sir Chris Hoy, who he had just joined in the very upper echelon of domestic sporting greats. “I’m happy and content with everything I’ve achieved”.
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“I will go out on my bike every single day”.
