• Sports Personality of the Year

Wiggins named Sports Personality of the Year

Bradley Wiggins became the first Briton to win the Tour de France © PA Photos

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Bradley Wiggins capped an outstanding year by being named Sports Personality of the Year on Sunday, with Jessica Ennis second and Andy Murray third.

Wiggins has enjoyed an unprecedented 12 months in British cycling, becoming the first Brit to win the Tour de France before backing that up with an Olympic time trial gold medal. Victory at London 2012 represented his fourth Olympic title.

"Thank-you to everyone who voted," Wiggins said on the BBC. "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.

"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. 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!"

Ennis, the golden girl and poster figure of the London 2012 Games, was recognised for her achievement in winning Olympic gold in the heptathlon. Murray, meanwhile, was third in the vote after he too tasted glory in Olympic competition, in addition to clinching his first grand slam title at the US Open.

Elsewhere, Team GB and Paralympics GB won Team of the Year while Dave Brailsford, the performance director of British Cycling, claimed Coach of the Year.

Usain Bolt unsurprisingly walked away with the overseas award following the defence of his 100m and 200m Olympic titles, while Young Sports Personality went to Paralympic swimmer Josef Craig, who won the 400m freestyle S7 gold medal.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.