Hoy: Bradley Wiggins doesn't need another medal to prove he's Britain's best ever cyclist

Sir Chris Hoy says Sir Bradley Wiggins is already Britain's best ever cyclist and doesn't need to win another medal at Rio 2016 to prove it

Bradley Wiggins, London 2012 Olympic Games, time trials

Sir Chris Hoy is backing his fellow knight Bradley Wiggins to eclipse his record as Britain's most decorated Olympian at the Rio Games, but insists the Tour de France winner is already the nation's best ever cyclist.

Hoy's two gold medals at the London Games in 2012 saw him move past Sir Steve Redgrave's mark by taking his tally to seven across four Olympics.

While Wiggins won't be able to match Hoy's six gold medals in Rio, he could win his eight piece of Olympic hardware, but plays down the importance of taking the record.

"I think he plays it down, but he will take huge pride winning five gold medals and to have more total medals than anybody else," Hoy told Press Association Sport at the launch of his new children's book.

"He collects records left, right and centre and even without the Olympics he is the greatest cyclist Britain has ever produced.

"He does not have to win a medal to do that because no-one has done what he has done across the board - to win the Tour de France, to hold the one-hour world record, and to be a multiple world and Olympic champion across disciplines - there is no-one even close to that.

"When he puts his mind to something, you wouldn't bet against him achieving it. I know it is a team event so he hasn't got control of the end result but he will make it happen, no doubt about it."

Wiggins is battling for a place in Team GB's team pursuit squad for the Rio Games, with victory in the European Championships doing his chances of selection no harm.

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

Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.