'There's a bit of life left in me yet' says Bradley Wiggins after Track Worlds team pursuit silver

Bradley Wiggins believes there's still life in his 35-year-old legs after driving Great Britain to within two laps of team pursuit gold at the London Track Worlds.

Bradley Wiggins, Track World Championships 2016
(Image credit: Andy Jones)

Sir Bradley Wiggins believes there's more speed to come from him, having been Britain's best performer in the team pursuit at today's Track World Championships.

The 35-year-old was part of the British quartet alongside Ed Clancy, Jon Dibben and Owain Doull who finished second behind Australia in the discipline in London this evening, despite producing their fastest ride since London 2012.

Wiggins produced two, two-lap turns in the final, the last of which put Britain ahead going into the final 500 metres. However, already down to three men, a tiring Clancy was then dropped from the line and caused the team to slow.

Bradley Wiggins on the front during the team pursuit final, Track World Championships 2016

Bradley Wiggins on the front during the team pursuit final against Australia

“It's the strongest set of team pursuting I've ever done, two-and-a-half lap turns on 14.0[-second lap times],” said Wiggins.

“That is the strongest I've been in a team pursuit, so there's a bit of life left in me yet, and I've got another four or five months to get a bit better.

>>> Track World Championships 2016: Latest reports, news, photos and analysis

“I could sense it was close two or three laps to go. We had a race on here and we'll have a race on in Rio, but I think we'll get over the line first in Rio.”

GB endurance coach Heiko Salzwedel admitted Wiggins was the team's strongest rider, but insisted he is not guaranteed of a ride at this summer's Olympics.

Bradley Wiggins relaxes before the team pursuit final, Track World Championships 2016

Bradley Wiggins relaxes before the team pursuit final
(Image credit: Andy Jones)

Salzwedel added: “Nobody is guaranteed of a ride, he has to press on. But certainly it's a big step forward, he's closer to his goal.

“He made a lot of sacrifices, he's invested a lot of his own energy to be with the team.”

Clancy's return to competition in the final came just months after he suffered a career-threatening back injury.

“I said to him a couple of weeks ago he's the one man who's probably irreplaceable,” said Wiggins.

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Nick Bull is an NCTJ qualified journalist who has written for a range of titles, as well as being a freelance writer at Beat Media Group, which provides reports for the PA Media wire which is circulated to the likes of the BBC and Eurosport. His work at Cycling Weekly predominantly dealt with professional cycling, and he now holds a role as PR & Digital Manager at SweetSpot Group, which organises the Tour of Britain.