After a 2013 riddled with set-backs and unfulfilled ambitions, Bradley Wiggins wrapped up Team Sky’s first-ever victory in the Tour of Britain in front of an ecstatic home crowd yesterday after Mark Cavendish (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) had made it a day to remember for British cycling having sealed his third stage win in London.

Once again Wiggins was perfectly protected by his team-mates as the race culminated with 10 rapid laps of an 8.8km, and having seen his team-mates control the events of the day on yet another stage, Wiggins rolled home to roars of approval once Cavendish (Omega Pharma – Quick-Step) had outmanoeuvred Sam Bennett (AN Post Chain Reaction) and Elia Viviani (Cannondale) in a flat-out finish along Whitehall.

Since winning the individual time trial in commanding fashion on Tuesday, Wiggins had masterminded his team-mates’ efforts to safeguard his overall lead and his leader’s golden jersey.

Before stepping onto the podium the 2012 Tour de France winner admitted: “At the moment it’s just relief that the job’s done. From the minute you’ve won the time trial you believe you can win the GC, but it’s not over until you’ve crossed that line.

“[The lead] was only 26 seconds, so if you crash before 3km to go, and all those other little things to think about. It was a pretty hectic finish as everyone wants to win the last stage,” Wiggins said according to the Sky website.

Wiggins also commented on the incredible support of the home crowd.

“You can’t fail to hear the crowd. It’s a bit like the Olympics. I expected it as every year the race finishes in London it’s been fantastic. It was the same today.”

The next challenge for Bradley Wiggins is the upcoming World individual time trial Championships. Recently Wiggins has established his time-trialing credentials by taking convincing wins in the discipline in both the Tour of Poland and the Tour of Britain, destroying the opposition in the process.

Sky Sports Director Servais Knaven exuded confidence in Wiggins’ prospects of winning the title in spite of the opposition from reigning time trial champion Tony Martin (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) and Fabian Cancellara (RadioShack-Leopard).

“As for Bradley, it’s great to see him riding at his very best again and he’ll head into the World Championships now raring to take on the likes of Tony Martin and Fabian Cancellara. Winning the time trial here was a big goal goal of his and he’ll continue honing his condition now before his shot at the rainbow jersey on Wednesday.”