Bradley Wiggins dominated the men’s cycling time trial on Wednesday, crossing the finish line in 50:39.54 to win gold, Great Britain’s second gold of the Games (and its second of the day). The win gives Wiggins the distinction of becoming the first ever cyclist to win both the Tour de France and an Olympic gold medal in the same year.
Bradley Wiggins Wins Gold In Cycling Time Trial, Christopher Froome Gets Bronze
Bradley Wiggins is now Great Britain’s most decorated Olympian ever after winning a gold medal in the cycling time trial on Wednesday at the Summer Games.
Germany’s Tony Martin won silver, finishing 42 seconds (!) behind Wiggins, and Christopher Froome won bronze, adding another medal to Great Britain’s tally. Taylor Phinney of the United States was fourth.
Switzerland’s Fabian Cancellara, the defending gold medalist in the time trial, crossed the line in seventh. He suffered through the 44-km (27-mile) course after injuring his shoulder in a crash in Saturday’s road race. Shortly after finishing, Cancellara collapsed to the ground in obvious pain.
For Wiggins, a former track cyclist, it’s his seventh Olympic medal (fourth gold), which surpasses Sir Steve Redgrave’s medal total and makes Wiggins the most decorated British Olympian ever.
The men’s time trial was a 44-km ride starting and ending at Hampton Court Palace in southwest London (view the course map in a PDF). In addition to a gold medal, Wiggins was also rewarded with the chance to awkwardly sit on a throne.
For more on the Olympics, check out SB Nation’s London 2012 Olympics Hub. For more on Olympic Cycling, follow the 2012 Olympic Cycling section.
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