Tour de France champion Wiggins wins BBC Sports Personality of the Year award

London: Tour de France winner and the London Olympic time trial gold medallist Bradley Wiggins added another feather to his crown when he bagged the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award amidst some really tough competition.

Jessica Ennis came in second place and Andy Murray was third, and Wiggins thanked his teammates, coach and fans for his tremendous success. “I will say thank you to everyone who voted. We have had all that jungle stuff and X-Factor the last few weeks, so for people to pick up the phone and vote in half an hour, thank you very much,” the Daily Mirror quoted Wiggins, as saying. “What a year, to stand on this stage with the people next to me is incredible. I`d like to thank my team-mates, I wouldn`t be on this stage without them,” he added. “I`d like to thank David Brailsford, the coaches, British Cycling, Team Sky and all the Olympians. There is a free bar round the back paid for by the BBC, so we are all going round there tonight!” he said. Britain`s top sport stars had gathered to celebrate their greatest ever year at the BBC`s Sports Personality of the Year awards, with the Duchess of Cambridge presenting the main prize after recovering from illness. Olympic and Paralympic heroes dominated this year`s shortlist, with golfer Rory McIlroy the only one of the 12 nominees not to have won medals at London 2012 this summer. Mo Farah, double gold medallist in the 5,000 metres and 10,000m, was ranked third favourite with the bookies, just ahead of Andy Murray. The list of nominees had been extended from 10 to 12 this year to reflect the incredible year for British sport. David Beckham presented the Lifetime achievement award to Lord Sebastian Coe alongside Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge. The Duchess then presented Bradley Wiggins with the main award. ANI