Wiggins is 'UK's most influential man'

Bradley Wiggins has been voted the United Kingdom's most influential man by 10,000 Britons polled by the AskMen.com website.

The 2012 Tour de France and Olympic time trial champion beat a host of other well-known figures to lead the men's website's Top 49 Most Influential list.

In second place is Apple designer Sir Jonathan Ive, with singer Plan B - real name Ben Drew - in third. Other sportsmen in the top ten are Andy Murray in sixth and Mo Farah in ninth. Last year's list was topped by Prince William.

According to AskMen.com, 10,000 men aged between 18-40 were requested to pick out the most influential man of the last 12 months, taking into account their 'achievements, profile and status'. It's the seventh year that the poll has taken place.

Since Wiggins' Tour de France success, his status in the public eye has risen dramatically with his gold-medal-winning performance in the London 2012 Olympic Games time trial sparking full-blown 'Wiggo fever'.

Aside from his sporting achievements, Wiggins is also well known for his sense of style - influenced by Mod culture - his out-of-the-ordinary, often humorous press conferences, and his distinctive sideburns. No one in the history of the Tour de France has ever stood on the podium after winning the prestigious Grand Tour and said "I'm going to draw the raffle tickets now".

Earlier this week it was announced that Wiggins had recorded a BBC 6 Music radio show with his music idol Paul Weller. The show will be aired over the Christmas period.

Bookmakers William Hill and Ladbrokes currently have Wiggins as front runner for taking the 2012 BBC Sports Personality of the Year award, which was scooped last year by Mark Cavendish after he won the Tour de France green jersey and world road race title.

Related links

Bradley Wiggins: Guitar Hero (from Cycle Sport, 2009)

Wiggins and Weller record Christmas show for BBC 6 Music