Wiggins wins first gold for GB at world cycling champs
Bradley Wiggins won gold in the men's pursuit
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Wednesday, 26, Mar 2008 09:36
Bradley Wiggins claimed Great Britain's first gold medal after he won the men's 4,000 metres individual pursuit on the first day of the World Track Cycling Championships in Manchester.
Wiggins beat Holland's Jenning Huizenga in the final and lived up to expectations after the Olympic champion went into the event as favourite.
The Dutchman had surprised the champion in qualifying when he recorded a time of four minutes, 16.34 seconds compared to Wiggins' 4:17.024.
But Huizenga could not repeat the feat and Wiggins secured the gold medal with a time of 4:18.519 in the final.
"There was no doubt in the final really but Huizenga is definitely a good up-and-coming lad. More than anything I am pleased to win in Manchester," Wiggins said after the final.
"I was on a stormer in qualifying so backed off not knowing what the other guy was doing."
Wiggins produced a champions' performance in the final with his Dutch rival finishing about five seconds behind him.