London 2012: Olympic time trial cycling – in pictures

Fans of Bradley Wiggins are wearing furry sideburns today, like the mod-loving Tour de France winner Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Heck, even the local horses are at it Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Lizzie Armistead – who won silver in the road race this week – makes her way out of Hampton Court, the start point for the time trial Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

But despite desperately pushing to the line, she finished outside the medals. Her time of 39:26.24 was ultimately only good enough for 10th Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

A Belgian time triallist emerges from the palace for her turn Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Kristin Armstrong of USA is the last female rider on the course and, as she nears the finish line, she knows victory is feasible Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Gold it is for the American in a fabulous time of 37:34.82 (16 seconds quicker than second placed Judith Arndt of Germany) Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

A Swedish rider skirts a bend in the men's race Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Chris Froome, who guided Wiggins to his maiden Tour de France title last month, is also in the hunt. He crosses the finish line in second place, but Fabian Cancellara and Wiggins are still to finish Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Guardian/guardian.co.uk

Wiggins takes huge chunks out of his rivals in the second and third sections (going 23 seconds faster than Martin between splits two and three). As he powers to the finish line he knows victory is his Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Gold for Wiggins and gold for Britain. What a year it's been for him Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

He's now the most decorated British Olympian of all time with seven medals Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Guardian/guardian.co.uk

Wiggins takes his rightful place on the throne as the king of British cycling. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Guardian/Guardian