 | Wiggins set a blistering pace in qualifying |
Bradley Wiggins claimed gold for Britain in the men's individual pursuit at the World Track Cycling Championships in Stuttgart.
The 23-year-old clocked 4min 18.57sec to triumph in an event won by Chris Boardman in 1996.
Australian Luke Roberts, who had been leading for the first half of the 16-lap race, came second in a time of 4min 19.30 to win his second consecutive silver medal in the event.
"When it happens, it's quite a strange emotion - something I can't explain," Wiggins said.
"It's just a relief more than anything. I thought I'd have a bit more in the tank than him but that's the pursuit."
Last year's winner Bradley McGee, the winner of the prologue in this year's Tour de France, missed out on the chance to defend his title.
The 26-year-old is undergoing tests to determine the cause of low blood sugar levels which affected his Tour campaign.
Spain's Sergi Escobar won the bronze after he dominated his matchup with Britain's Paul Manning.
Russia's Sergei Koudentsov has failed a blood test, preventing his further participation in Stuttgart. He has been ordered to take a two-week break from competition after excessive levels of hematocrit, or red blood cells, were found in his system.
Laurent Gane of France won the men's keirin title. Jobie Dajka of Australia, champion in 2002, was second and Rene Wolff of Barbados third. Gane won the six-rider final with a sustained last lap effort. He moved past Dajka and powered to the line, two metres clear of his rivals.
MMIX
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