Bradley Wiggins cruises to pursuit title in Beijing

Bradley Wiggins becomes the first man to successfully defend the individual pursuit title at the Olympic Games.

Bradley Wiggins celebrates individual pursuit Olympic record 2008

Bradley Wiggins did what everyone was expecting and defended his individual pursuit title in Beijing tonight. It was a consummate performance from the man who has made this event his own in the last four years.

Wiggins had time to spare in each of his three rides, and although New Zealand's Hayden Roulston held his own for the first two kilometres, the Brit never looked to be in danger of losing his title. The biggest shock of the event was that another Brit took the bronze.

Young Steven Burke of Burnley, surprised everyone by turning out three world class rides in the Laoshan velodrome, eventually dropping his personal best to 4-20 minutes to beat Alexei Markov of Russia in the bronze medal final.

Burke was only selected to ride on Thursday morning and had no time to prepare for the event. His ride is not only an indication of his talent but of the talent of the British coaching staff to get their riders in to peak condition for major events.

Burke was here as fifth man in GB's team pursuit and was expected to ride qualifyling to give Bradley Wiggins a rest. He's now the third best pursuiter in the world.

As for Wiggins, his Olympic campaign is just getting started. Tomorrow he will ride the team pursuit looking for his second gold, and while he won't be looking any further than that, everyone else is allowed to think ahead to Tuesday night's Madison where he will partner Mark Cavendish in what could be another amazing night for British cycling.

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OLYMPIC GAMES 2008: TRACK

Day two at the track: Summary of the action

Hoy and Edgar clean up in the Keirin

Wiggins gets pursuit gold, Burke wins bronze

Newton storms to bronze in points race

Blog: Life in Laoshan

Day one in pictures

Brits blast to team sprint gold

Day one at the track: Summary of the action

As it happened on Friday: Gold for team sprint trio; Wiggins, Houvenaghel and Romero well in control

Burke blasts to new individual pursuit PB

British track stars raring to go

What makes the Laoshan such a challenge

Picture special: CW takes you inside the Laoshan velodrome

Saturday's preview

Friday's preview

Can these legs make an Olympic champion?

Cavendish unlikely to ride individual pursuit

How many medals will Britain's riders win?

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OLYMPIC GAMES 2008: NEWS

Positive test for cyclist at Olympic Games

Bettini chasing second Olympic gold

Romero poses nude for ad

British quartet eyeing new world record

As Olympics approach two new drugs emerge

Beijing Blog

Beijing Blog 2

Beijing Blog 3

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OLYMPIC GAMES 2008: ROAD

Picture special: Women's time trial

Cancellara wins men's time trial gold

Men's time trial reaction: Steve Cummings on his ride

Women's time trial reaction: I feel fantastic, says Pooley

Pooley wins silver in women's time trial

Cooke's secret was the skinsuit

What the papers say... about Nicole Cooke

Analysis: women's road race

Gold for Nicole Cooke in Women?s road race

Reaction: It?s a dream to win Gold, says Cooke

Women's Olympic road race picture special

Sanchez gives Spain gold in thrilling men?s road race

Who is Samuel Sanchez?

Tactical analysis: Reading the men?s Olympic road race

British riders suffer in hot and humid Olympic road race

Rebellin misses out on golden birthday

Brailsford confident ahead of women?s road race

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OLYMPIC GAMES 2008: GUIDE

Olympic Games 2008 homepage>>

Olympics: latest news>>

Olympics cycling results>>

Cycling event schedule>>

Great Britain rider profiles>>

Cycling event guide>>

Photo gallery>>

British Olympic cycling medal winners>>

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