Here Wiggo Again: Bradley Wiggins, world time trial champion
Bradley Wiggins' victory in the world championships time trial was classic Wiggins
“Bradley, what was the first thing you thought about this morning?”
“That I needed a wee.”
Those were some of Bradley Wiggins' first, choice words to television cameras shortly after becoming world time trial champion.
“When I know the form and condition is there, I feel relaxed,” he added. “I know what I have to do.”
Wiggins had been talked up in Spain ahead of the time trial - a strong team time trial performance and a tough, technical course all playing to his favour against the blunderbuss style of Tony Martin – and he showed why.
His was a pitch-perfect ride on the smooth roads around Ponferrada. Into the headwind opening section and towards the final two climbs, he was consistently up against his rivals, Martin included, and he saved enough energy for the final leg-sapping climbs.
He and his Great Britain support team knew the final third of the 47.1km course was where the race would be won or lost and, in the words of Rod Ellingworth behind in the support car: “he nailed the descent.”
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
It was classic Wiggins, on a true ‘tester’s’ course that rewarded pacing, technical skill and power. It was the sort of ride that thousands of club riders strive for on a Sunday morning up and down the country.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nW8aiTx0ARg
“Your performances are what people remember you for the most,” Wiggins told the press conference later. “That's what’s inspiring to people.”
He’ll certainly be remembered for this ride. And regardless of whether he successfully achieves his future targets of Paris-Roubaix, the Hour record and Olympic team pursuit gold in Rio, victory in his final ever road world championships will be up there when someone eventually brings out the “Wiggo’s Greatest Hits” DVD.
But of course when it’s Bradley Wiggins – Tour de France champion, Olympic champion and now world champion - there’s always that little bit more.
There were the two gold Pinarello Bolide time trial bikes mounted as spares on the following car (consigned there thanks to his new toy with the British national champion’s colour scheme).
There was the swagger; vaulting his way up a four foot high podium platform as if his body had forgotten about the previous 56 minutes and 25 seconds, then strutting his way back to the TV interviews with a simian stroll worthy of a lead role in a Stone Roses gig.
And so too was a bit of swearing.
“Try and translate that: ‘s*** your pants,’” he joked with the Spanish translator at the post-race press conference after he’d described how he felt when he heard on race radio that he was only 10 seconds up on Tony Martin on the final summit.
Perhaps by way of an apology, the fresh-faced translator got the back of his pristine white shirt signed in black marker pen while he was translating Wiggins’ final answer, while the man himself made his exit, a cheeky grin on his face.
“As for the rest of it, it's for the others to decide isn’t it?” Wiggins added.
“Not everyone likes you. You ought to see the comments on my Instagram sometimes.”
Post-race press conference
Bradley Wiggins: It's a bonus to win world time trial title
Bradley Wiggins says that he will not return to defend the time trial world title in 2015
Bradley Wiggins wins 2014 time trial world title
Bradley Wiggins wins the time trial world title in Ponferrada, Spain, beating defending champion Tony Martin by 26 seconds
Bradley Wiggins to take on Hour record in 2015
Bradley Wiggins says he was inspired by Jens Voigt's new Hour record
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Richard Abraham is an award-winning writer, based in New Zealand. He has reported from major sporting events including the Tour de France and Olympic Games, and is also a part-time travel guide who has delivered luxury cycle tours and events across Europe. In 2019 he was awarded Writer of the Year at the PPA Awards.
-
Wout van Aert back on drop bars as he says he’s ‘almost professional again’ in Strava post
Visma-Lease a Bike rider broke his collarbone, sternum and several ribs in a high speed crash at Dwars door Vlaanderen
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'Ride like you own the road' - Zoe Bäckstedt on Paris-Roubaix Femmes, her Grand Tour debut and her new Red Bull helmet
Bäckstedt recently landed sponsorship from the energy drink giants and joined the likes of Tom Pidcock, Pauline Ferrand-Prévot and Evie Richards as a Red Bull athlete
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
‘Unprecedented’ television audiences revealed for cycling Super Worlds
Fans around the world watched more than 200 million hours in August
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Team USA at Road Worlds: Are Powless and Dygert our best hopes for a medal?
Here's who we'll be watching in the rainbow battles in Glasgow, Scotland.
By Henry Lord Published
-
Bradley Wiggins says he suffered ‘borderline rape’ during three years of 'abuse' by coach
Speaking on Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place podcast, Wiggins says he now “hates cycling” and only ever used the sport as a distraction
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Glasgow UCI World Championships bags Lidl partnership
Supermarket chain becomes official fresh food partner for the championships taking place in Glasgow in August
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Bradley Wiggins might not be a TV pundit for much longer: 'I just want a normal job really'
Tour de France champion says that he doesn't still want to be on Eurosport in 10 years, and he thought about being a social worker
By Adam Becket Published
-
CW Live: Chris Froome targets return to 'top level'; UCI tightens ITT rules; Strava responds to price hike criticism; Topless protesters arrested at TDU; Tributes paid to Lieuwe Westra; Scott recalls 'cracking' bikes; Toon Aerts the PE teacher
The latest news in the world of cycling
By Tom Davidson Last updated
-
Bradley Wiggins: Abuse contributed to making me a great cyclist
The Tour de France winner is part of a new NSPCC campaign to help people spot the signs of child abuse
By Adam Becket Published
-
Is Bradley Wiggins Rubbish on ITV's The Masked Singer? We investigate
The wheely bin character was tipped to be the Olympian by one of the judges on the Saturday night TV show
By Adam Becket Published