UK's Wiggins poised for Tour de France victory

Bradley Wiggins punches the air as he crosses the finish line Saturday Credit: REUTERS/Bogdan Cristel

Bradley Wiggins is almost certain to make history today and become the first Briton to win the Tour de France.

After winning yesterday's time trial in Chartres, the cyclist can look forward to a celebratory last lap in Paris later today - barring any freak accidents occurring.

The Briton punched the air as he crossed the line yesterday, clocking a fastest time of one hour four minutes and 13 seconds on the flat 53.5-km course from Bonneval.

Bradley Wiggins on the winner's podium Credit: Reuters

  • As in the first long time trial of the Tour in Besancon last week, Wiggins's team mate and compatriot Chris Froome was second, 1:16 adrift

  • Third place went to Spain's Luis Leon Sanchez, 1:50 behind

Wiggins will officially be crowned winner today in Paris Credit: Reuters

Previously the triple Olympic gold medallist finished fourth in the Tour in 2009, equalling Robert Millar's 1984 British best, but crashed out with a broken collarbone in 2011.

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