Wiggins wins men's pursuit

By Deborah Charles

BEIJING (Reuters) - Cyclist Bradley Wiggins won the Olympic gold medal in the men's 4km individual pursuit on Saturday, beating New Zealand's Hayden Roulston in the final to retain the title he won in 2004.

Steven Burke made it a gold-bronze double for Britain after he picked up his speed in the final rounds of the bronze medal match to edge out Russian Alexei Markov.

Wiggins, who had set an Olympic record in the qualifying rounds on Friday, had a huge smile on his face as rode up to the stands to hug and greet some supporters before he set off on a victory lap.

"Its been a long year building up for the Olympics," said Wiggins, who is aiming for three gold medals in Beijing.

Wiggins said he decided to play it safe on Saturday and not try to break the world record during the finals.

"It's one of three races," he said. "Taking on the challenge of winning three golds takes work."

One of Britain's great medal hopes on the track, Wiggins lagged behind Roulston for the first 1,000 metres.

After the halfway mark though he began to increase his speed and powered ahead of the New Zealander to finish nearly three seconds ahead.

"I did my best," said Roulston. "There's nothing I regret. Coming into this competition I wouldn't have imagined taking silver. I'm completely happy ... he deserves it."

Wiggins, winner of the last two world championships in this

event, closed his eyes as he listened to "God Save the Queen" after receiving his gold medal then pumped his arm in victory after the anthem was played.

He is also competing in the team pursuit and the madison in Beijing.

American Tayler Phinney, the 18-year-old son of Olympic road race gold medallist Connie Carpenter-Phinney and Olympic bronze medallist Davis Phinney, had been an outside medal hope but finished seventh.

(additional reporting by Crispian Balmer and Julien Pretot; editing by Keith Weir)