BRADLEY Wiggins was today greeted by a deafening crowd at Hampton Court Palace as he claimed gold in the men’s road cycling time trial – and staked his case as Great Britain’s greatest ever Olympian.

The 32-year-old has now won seven Olympic medals, four of them gold. That’s one more overall than rower Sir Steve Redgrave, the latter having claimed five golds though.

Wiggins – who is now oustanding favourite to win 2012 Sports Personality of the Year following his historic Tour de France victory – was cheered over the line today by wife Cath and two children Ben and Isabella.

It was a double success for Great Britain as Chris Froome won the bronze medal.

“He’s my grandson so I screamed when he won,” said Wiggins’s grandmother Maureen Cousins, was also on the side of the road as he crossed the finish line.

“It’s a combination of delight and relief.

“I’m really proud of him. We all think he’s the greatest.”

After winning the gold medal Wiggins briefly cycled back towards his family, but he was forced to ride off again as the crowd surged forwards to congratulate him.