Wiggins happy to settle for end of season silver
BRITAIN’S Bradley Wiggins claimed to be satisfied with a silver medal after German rival Tony Martin proved a class above the field to lift his first time trial world title in Copenhagen yesterday.
Pre-race favourite Martin lived up to his billing, covering the 46.3km course in 53 minutes 43.85 seconds. Wiggins finished one minute 15.83 secs back then saw defending champion Fabian Cancellara slip on a corner.
“This is what it was all about: come here, get a medal and finish off a great year,” Wiggins said. “It was a real honour to be out there with those two guys [Martin and Cancellara], who are probably the best two time-trialists in the world.
“I feel sorry for Fabian in a way – he’s dominated this event the last few years – and Tony’s worked hard to get up there close to him. He’s finally cracked it and won by a significant margin.
“I’ve been there or thereabouts in time trials all year and we’ve probably been the most consistent three time trialists. It’s good to finish off with a medal, up there with those two.”
Cancellara was 4.76 secs off Wiggins while GB team-mate David Millar, last year’s silver medallist, trailed Martin by two minutes and 45 seconds to place seventh.
Millar never threatened the podium and found swept up by the Martin, twice a bronze medallist in the previous two years.