WIGGINS MAKES STATEMENT FOLLOWING HIS FATHER'S DEATH

Bradley Wiggins has released a short statement following the death of his father, Gary.

The Great Britain and Team High Road rider released the statement through his agent. It read: "I am sad and in shock at this time. We still don't know the full details of what happened, however I have every confidence that the authorities will get to the bottom of this out in Australia.

"Training had been going very well for the forthcoming World Championships in Manchester and whilst this is a time for reflection I am also looking forward to rejoining my colleagues training out in California."

Bradley is now due to travel to California for the Team High Road training camp before the Tour of California gets underway.

Gary, 55, was found unconscious in a street in Aberdeen, near Newcastle in New South Wales and later died in hospital.

His death is being investigated by police. A post-mortem indicated he died from a head injury. The investigating officer, detective inspector Tim Seymour, said witnesses had provided police with a number of strong leads. One relates to a blue car that sounded its horn as Wiggins walked along the edge of a busy road. Police suspect Wiggins was either attacked or fell but they are not ruling out a hit-and-run at this stage, according to reports in Australia.

Born in Yallourn, Australia, November 20, 1952

Died New South Wales, Australia, January 23, 2008

Cycling career A talented cyclist, Wiggins won the kilo and team pursuit at the 1977 World Track Championships. He moved to Britain, joined the Archer Road Club, and then headed to Belgium.

He became a regular on the Six-Day circuit, teaming up with Tony Doyle to win the Bremen Six-Day in 1985. He also raced kermesse events in Belgium.

Wiggins met Linda in England and their son, Bradley, was born in Ghent in 1980. Bradley and his mother moved to London when Gary returned to Australia in the 1980s.