Wiggins claims top Sports Personality award

Bradley Wiggins’ remarkable year came to a perfect conclusion last night as he was named BBC Sports Personality of the Year in the city he cruised to Olympic glory this summer.

Having clinched gold in the time trial at London 2012 just 10 days after becoming the first Briton to win the Tour de France, 32-year-old Wiggins was always the strong favourite to win the prestigious award at London’s ExCeL Arena.

And the cyclist duly won the public vote, beating Olympic heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis and US Open winner Andy Murray into second and third place respectively.

The Duchess of Cambridge and David Beckham presented the top award.

The affable Wiggins has enjoyed the finest year of a glittering career, winning the Tour, Olympic gold, Paris-Nice, the Tour of Romandy and the Criterium du Dauphine and last night he thanked those who helped make it possible.

“I will say thank you to everyone who voted,” said Wiggins.

“We have had all that jungle stuff and X-Factor the last few weeks, so for people to pick up the phone and vote in half an hour, thank you very much.

“What a year. To stand on this stage with these people next to me is incredible. I’d like to thank my team-mates, I wouldn’t be on this stage without them. I’d like to thank [British Cycling chief] Dave Brailsford, the coaches, British Cycling, Team Sky and all the Olympians.”

The other award recipients were Usain Bolt (Overseas Sports Personality of the Year), Josef Craig (Young Sports Personality of the Year), Martine Wright (the Helen Rollason Award for outstanding achievement in the face of adversity), Seb Coe (Lifetime Achievement award), Team GB and Paralympics GB (Joint Team of the Year) and Dave Brailsford, (Coach of the Year).

* During the broadcast, Kerry legend Páidí Ó Sé and Ulster Rugby star Nevin Spence, along with a host of other sporting luminaries who passed away during the year, were commemorated.