Bradley Wiggins
Born on 28th of April 1980
Died in 000
British hero of the week July 26th 2012
Born in Ghent in Belgium, Bradley was brought up in London and followed in the footsteps of his professional cyclist father, Gary Wiggins, when he took up cycling. Reportdedly, the exploits of Chris Boardman in Barcelona inspired the twelve-year-old Wiggins to take up the sport and he started racing at south London's Herne Hill Velodrome. Success followed quickly and over the next six years he had become World Junior Pursuit champion and then turned professional.
At his first Olympics, at Sydney 2000, Wiggins took his first of many Olympic medals, winning bronze in the team pursuit. More Olympic success followed four years later in Athens. There Wiggins won gold in the 4km 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. A silver followed in the team pursuit and then a bronze with Rob Hayles in the Madison despite an early fall.
His sporting exploits were recognised by the Queen in 2004 when he received an OBE in the New Years honours list.
In 2006 he raced in the Tour de France and was appointed London's Cycling Ambassador by Mayor Ken Livingstone.
Wiggins took to the track again for the Manchester round of the UCI World Cup and the world championships in 2007. There he won both the individual and team pursuit.
He appeared in the 2007 Tour de France for Team Cofidis and took 4th in the Prologue in London. He was awarded the combativity award on Stage 6 for a long solo breakaway. Unfortunately his team were withdrawn after team mate Cristian Moreni failed a doping test.
Bradley Wiggins was selected to represent Team GB at the Beijing Olympic Games, 2008 in three track events; Team Pursuit, Madison and the Individual Pursuit.
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