Bradley Wiggins became the second British rider to bag the top podium spot during the Paris-Nice 2012
Bradley Wiggins became the second British cyclist to claim the overall victory at the Paris-Nice 2012. It was way back in 1967 when late Tom Simpson registered the top podium spot at the race.
Reuters quoted him as saying, "I know my cycling history and this is an enormous achievement, it’s an honour to be up there with Tom Simpson".
He started the 9.6 kilometre final stage of the race with a lead of 6 seconds over Lieuwe Westra.
His victory at the final chase to Col d’ Eze helped him in strengthening his grip at the overall classifications.
Wiggins finished the race in the fastest time of 19 minutes and 12 seconds. Westra fell 2 seconds short and had to settle for the second position.
Lieuwe also rode brilliantly and was the only true challenger for Bradley during the second World Tour event of the year.
He also secured the fifth stage of the race and helped Team Vacansoleil-DCM with the overall dominance after the final team’s classifications.
Bradley claimed his first overall victory of the season and defeated his Dutch opponent with a margin of 8 seconds during the final day of racing in Paris.
Westra achieved the second podium spot with Alejandro Valverde, Simon Spilak and Tejay Van Garderen at the third, fourth and fifth positions in the respective order.
The 31-year-old started his 2012 winning campaign at the Volta ao Algarve. He occupied the fifth stage of the race and also finished at the fifth overall position.
However, his best performance came during the 2012 version of the Paris-Nice. He bagged the 8th stage of the race and finished second during the opening time trial event.
He thanked the whole Team Sky for their support during the eight-staged race.
Bradley was admired by the brilliant efforts by Westra, “I knew that Westra was very strong after he'd won that stage midweek. I had a fright; he won at Mende so I knew he had the legs”.
Wiggins is now targeting the Tour de France 2012 as the next big goal for his 2012 season.
He finished fourth overall at the Tour de France 2009 and achieved the third overall during the Vuelta a Espana 2011.
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