Olympic gold medallist Bradley Wiggins reveals just how glorious it was to ride around the streets of his home town

Gold medallist Bradley Wiggins paid an emotional tribute to the army of fans that took to the streets to watch him power to Olympic time trial glory at Hampton Court today.

The 32-year-old Tour de France winner stormed to a 42-second win over Germany’s Tony Martin to strike gold, with fellow Brit Chris Froome finishing in the bronze medal position.

“I cannot put it into words, I wouldn’t do it justice,” said Wiggins who grew up in North West London. “It’s really incredible to win an Olympic gold in your home city.

“When you win in the velodrome, there are three or four thousand people cheering. Here, around the streets of London, the noise is just amazing.

“I don’t think anything will top that, the noise was just phenomenal.”

Victory in the time trial gave Wiggins his seventh medal, making him the most accomplished British Olympian in history, something he still can’t quite believe.

“Just to be mentioned in the same breath as Sir Steve Redgrave and Sir Chris Hoy is an absolute honour and to be up there with those guys as a British Olympian, it’s very special.”

It has been a magnificent year for Wiggins and after his victory in Paris just 10 days ago, he was determined to enjoy this event in front of his own fans.

“I was trying to savour it,” said the Londoner. I have no memories of my other Olympics. I was either too young or it was over too quick.

“There is not much better than this setting with that castle (Hampton Court), it’s so British isn’t it?

“The sun came out and it was just fantastic.”

Seven medals in the bag and Wiggins may not be finished there. He has plans to make the trip to Brazil for Rio 2016.

“It had to be gold today or nothing,” he insisted. “What’s the point of seven medals if they’re not the right colour? Mainly it is about the four golds.

“Now I have to go to Rio and go for five.”

Few would bet against him doing just that, but by then, Wiggins could well be Sir Bradley too!