Sir Bradley Wiggins is knighted by the Queen in 'nerve-wracking' ceremony
The Tour de France winner and Olympic gold medallist was recognised for his services to cycling
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir Bradley Wiggins has said he will be training for the next Olympics on Tuesday evening despite the perfect excuse for a night off - being knighted by the Queen.
The 33-year-old was honoured for services to cycling in a career that has included seven Olympic medals and becoming the first Briton to win the Tour de France.
Wiggins, who was joined at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday by his wife and two children, said the title was an "incredible honour" for the "inferior" accomplishment of winning a bike race.
Still visibly shell-shocked moments after the ceremony, he said: "It was quite nerve-wracking actually. I'm just incredibly uncomfortable in those circumstances.
"I'm still shaking now, to be honest. I'm glad it's over. The Queen asked what I'm doing now, and it was an incredible summer last year.
"I mean it's quite humbling, really, being here. I was just talking to some of the other people getting stuff, and asking them what they've been honoured for, and they're historic things, ground-breaking sciences or whatever.
"I've won a bike race, you know, and I feel a little bit inferior to everyone, really.
"It's just the end of the road in a sense, in that it tops off the closure of last summer as it were, even though it's more than a year ago. It's a great honour."
Wiggins also revealed that preparations for forthcoming races are dominating his schedule with the new road season and a potential return to the track in Rio in 2016 looming large.
Explaining that he was not able to go out for celebrations on Tuesday evening, Wiggins added: "I'm looking forward now, trying to concentrate on the next Olympic cycle now, but it's an incredible honour, it really is.
"I'll probably be training this evening. It's just ongoing at the moment.
"We (my family and I) are going to spend the afternoon together, but I'm staying here now to train until Christmas."
PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments