Bradley Wiggins has denied he was trying to gain an "unfair advantage" when he obtained permission to use a banned drug before some of his biggest races, including his victory in the 2012 Tour de France.

Ireland’s Dan Martin and Nicolas Roche survived another nerve-shredder at the Tour de France yesterday, the duo crossing the line in the same time as stage winner Marcel Kittel after avoiding a nasty pile-up with two kilometres to go.