Wiggins defies the pain to lead Tour
Sir Bradley Wiggins was prepared to wake up this morning in hospital but instead heads into Shropshire for stage four of the Tour of Britain with a handsome lead in the general classification.
Team Sky leader Wiggins was at his dominant best as he powered to victory in yesterday's time-trial and was alone in breaking the 20-minute barrier around a rain-lashed 16km course in Knowsley.
His mark of 19 minutes 54.20 seconds was 36secs better than runner-up and team-mate Ian Stannard, who lies second overall.
Olympic champion Wiggins is now overwhelming favourite to retain the gold jersey and win the competition which passes through Market Drayton and Whitchurch today.
But while things are looking good now, 33-year-old Wiggins revealed he was ready to take plenty of risks in unforgiving weather in order to achieve his aim.
"The conditions weren't ideal for me, but I thought I'd rather end up in hospital than be beaten, so it was 100 per cent commitment," he said.
"I had to win, whatever."
