BRITISH CYCLING STAR Bradley Wiggins admits receiving a knighthood in the New Year Honours capped a glorious year, but not even that honour could compare to being on stage with his pop star hero Paul Weller.
Wiggins became the first British cyclist to win the Tour de France earlier this year and then earned his fourth Olympic gold medal a few weeks later.
Earlier this month he was the runaway winner of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award and now he has been knighted in recognition of his epic achievements. But all those prizes and plaudits will take a back seat when the 32-year-old reflects on his own highlight of 2012.
Wiggins is almost as famous for his love of mod culture as he is for his exploits on a bike and last week he fulfilled a lifetime ambition when he joined legendary singer Weller to perform The Jam’s classic hit ‘That’s Entertainment’ during a charity concert at Hammersmith Apollo.
“For me it’s probably the obvious one, apart from Sports Personality, playing at Hammersmith Apollo with Paul Weller was incredible,” Wiggins said.
“That topped it for me, and that’s not a joke. It was amazing. Playing a Jam song as well, I mean how many people get to do that?”
Wiggins has been hailed for his down-to-earth attitude in an era of ego-driven sporting divas and he believes the award sends a good message in the age of celebrity culture.
“It’s quite something really,” he said. “There was never any doubt whether I’d accept it or not, it was more a case that I never saw myself as a Sir, and I probably never will.
“I don’t like profiting from status so it’s more for my family. It’s nice for my parents and grandparents to be able to say I’m a knight, and for my kids in the future. To be deemed good enough to have a knighthood by the establishment is quite nice really, because I’ve continued to be myself through most of the fame.
“It’s a nice advertisement for our culture I think because so much of it is based on being something you’re not with celebrity, so it’s reassuring in a way.”
Meanwhile, British cycling chief Dave Brailsford, who masterminded Wiggins’ Tour de France triumph with Team Sky, paid tribute to all his riders after he was also given a knighthood.
The 48-year-old has received the honour at the end of a year in which he led Great Britain to eight cycling gold medals for a second successive Olympics and Team Sky to an historic one-two finish in the Tour de France.
“It is a bit surreal really. It is quite humbling and it really is something to try to get my head around,” Brailsford said.
“I’m very lucky and aware that the sport of cycling has grown and that we have had great success because it is a team effort over a long, long period of time.
“But I guess it does feel a little bit uncomfortable given the hard work that everyone puts in that there is an individual recognition rather than a group recognition.”
Go on the dubs! Take that, "kingdom", or whatever ye call yerselves…
Well done Dublin great game.
Well done to the Tipperary minors and to the Dubs. Football just got interesting again!! :))
The jacks are back, well done Dublin fantastic team effort and thank fully we just edged a close game with Kerry.
Living as I do approx 3 miles from SAMs ancestral home I much prefer for the cup named after him to be temporarily resident in Dublin rather than Kerry. Well done the Dubs.
Well done to Dublin. They best team on the day & great comeback against us. To be the best, you got to beat the best
Bless the Dubs, O Lord we pray, keep them on their winning way. Bless the colours, worn with pride, from Ballybough to Stepaside. Bless the banners and the flags, not to mention all the gags. Bless Gilroy too, the uncrowned king, let his name around Croke Park sing. Bless Bernard Brogan in the square, kicking points from everywhere. Bless Cluxton too, that agile ace, who guards his goal with style and grace. Bless the man with all the go, the dashing, dauntless, Cullen yoo. Bless the fans, that faithful throng, keep their voices loud and strong. Bless next All-Ireland final day, be sure the Dubs will rule OK
Well done, damn ye!
McMenamin made some impact when he came on! Great performance by the Dubs, fully deserved to win! Coppers will be hopping tonight!
Gutted, but fair play to the dubs.They played to their potential, and we didn’t. Agus sin e.
Kerry will win I’d say, Dublin will be fair disappointed to come away with nothing, not even the minor!
What the hell was wrong with Cluxton? running down the tunnel and not joining in the celebrations and generally looking miserable after the match and in the hotel on the Sunday game…whats up there??
As much as I’d love a Dublin win, I think Kerry will be too clinical towards the end. Conditions have opened it up a bit though.
Gee Adrian!
Even from Kathmandu… I reckon you photo caption needs adjustment!
COME ON THE DUBS GREAT WIN