Sir Bradley Wiggins added the time trial world title to his burgeoning palmares today with a dominant, but perfectly paced ride in Ponferrada, Spain.
Wiggins beat three time world champion Tony Martin by 26 seconds, on the lumpy course on what was his last attempt at the title.
"I knew I had the legs and when I saw the course I knew if I was ever going to beat Tony it was going to be on a course like this." Wiggins said immediately after his winning ride. "When I know the form is there I'm quite relaxed, it was just a case of waiting around today. I had a good team time trial so I knew I was strong. I knew the difference would be made in the final loop [on] those climbs, I paced it perfectly, I was pushing it all the way."
"It's been an up and down year. I want to dedicate this to my family, they had to put up with me when I was home in July....... My last world time trial title what a way to finish."
Wiggins also confirmed that the hour record would be his next target, and is expected to make an attempt at the record next June. The record, along with a win in Paris-Roubaix, are perhaps the only two results missing from his incredible, and varied, palmares.
"To add the world title to the British and Olympic title, I've got the set. along with all the pursuit world titles, it's fantastic."
RESULT
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Elite men's time trial world championship
1. Bradley Wiggins (GBr) 56:25.52
2. Tony Martin (Ger) +26.23
3. Tom Dumoulin (Ned) +40.64
4. Vasil Kiryienka (Blr) +47.92
5. Rohan Dennis (Aus) +57.74
6. Adriano Malori (Ita) +1:11.62
7. Nelson Oliveira (Po) +1:21.63
8. Anton Vorobyev (Rus) +1:29.66
9. Jan Barta (Cze) +1:43.41
10. Jonathan Castroviejo (Esp) +1:44.20
Other
20. Alex Dowsett (GBr) +2:35.10
Cycling Weekly podcast from the worlds
Bradley Wiggins in the Elite Mens TT at the 2014 World Road Championships
(Image credit: Graham Watson)
Bradley Wiggins on his way to winning the 2014 world time trial title
Tony Martin settled for silver
(Image credit: Graham Watson)
Alex Dowsett admitted that he felt fatigued during the event
(Image credit: Graham Watson)
Tom Dumoulin came home for third to complete the 2014 podium
(Image credit: Graham Watson)
Tony Martin, Sir Bradley Wiggins and Tom Dumoulin on the podium
Editor of Cycling Weekly magazine, Simon has been working at the title since 2001. He fell in love with cycling 1989 when watching the Tour de France on Channel 4, started racing in 1995 and in 2000 he spent one season racing in Belgium. During his time at CW (and Cycle Sport magazine) he has written product reviews, fitness features, pro interviews, race coverage and news. He has covered the Tour de France more times than he can remember along with two Olympic Games and many other international and UK domestic races. He became the 130-year-old magazine's 13th editor in 2015.
