It may have become slightly lost during a below-par 2013 season, but there is a reason Sir Bradley Wiggins is one of just two male British riders to have been bestowed the honour of a knighthood.

Seven Olympic medals – four of them gold – and the honour of being the first Brit ever to win cycling’s greatest prize, the Tour de France, make Wiggins one of Britain’s greatest ever.

He has been hugely successful both on the road and the track and has done it all while remaining a defiantly clean rider.

Mod-loving Wiggo also carries a rock star persona – the sideburns of 2012 spawning many imitations, and his love of guitars and scooters is almost as famous as his ability on the bike.

As sporting champions go, Wiggins is one of the greatest and, furthermore, he has a good chance of adding the Tour of California to his palmares.

Backed by a strong Team Sky squad and with miles in his legs at Giro del Trentino following his eighth place at Paris-Roubaix, Sky say the race is a big target for Sir Brad.

Last year he conquered Britain, winning the national Tour to end a disappointing campaign on a high.

This time out he has America in his sights – and it may not be just the Brits celebrating if he goes on to earn the yellow jersey.