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Pictures: Sir Bradley Wiggins' record eight Olympic medals

Team GB team pursuit cyclists with gold medals at Rio 2016AP

Sir Bradley Wiggins won his record-breaking eighth Olympic medal with gold in the team pursuit in Rio on Friday. The attention might have been focused on Wiggins, but he told reporters that his teammates Ed Clancy, Owain Doull and Steven Burke made all the difference. "When you have guys like that it makes your life easier," he said.

Paul Manning, Bryan Steel, Chris Newton and Bradley Wiggins do lap of honour with bronze medalsGetty Images

Wiggins's first Olympic medal was also in the team pursuit race, 16 years ago in Sydney. It was his first time at the Olympics. He bagged a bronze along with his teammates, Paul Manning, Bryan Steel, and Chris Newton.

Bradley Wiggins kisses his gold medal in 2004Getty Images

It was onwards and upwards from there. Wiggins took his first gold medal four years later at the Athens Games in 2004 - in the individual pursuit.

Bradley Wiggins, Steve Cummings, Paul Manning and Rob Hayles show their silver medalsAP

He also grabbed a silver in the men's team pursuit, with teammates Steve Cummings, Paul Manning and Rob Hayles...

Bradley Wiggins and Rob Hayes with bronze medalsAP

....and completed the set with a bronze in the madison race along with teammate Rob Hayles. Getting a gold, silver, and bronze medal at Athens made Wiggins the most successful British Olympian at a single Games in 40 years.

Bradley Wiggins with gold medal at Beijing 2008Getty Images

At the Beijing Olympics in 2008, Wiggins held on to his individual pursuit title, taking the gold again.

Paul Manning, Ed Clancy, Geraint Thomas and Bradley Wiggins with gold medals in Beijing 2008Getty Images

And he continued his success in the team pursuit as well - upgrading the silver he won in Athens to a gold along with teammates Paul Manning, Ed Clancy and Geraint Thomas.

Bradley Wiggins after winning the time trial at London 2012Getty Images

At London 2012, Wiggins celebrated his spectacular victory in the time trial like a true king of cycling - sat on a throne at Hampton Court Palace in front of a roaring home crowd. That same year he became the first Brit to win the Tour de France, so it wasn't a surprise when he was crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year. He even received a knighthood from the Queen - giving him the "Sir" in front of his name.

Bradley Wiggins sticks his tongue outBBC Sport

So what's next for Sir Wiggins? With five golds, one silver, and two bronze medals, Wiggins now says that he'll be calling it a day. He celebrated his last time stood on an Olympic podium in classic style, sticking his tongue out during the national anthem.

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