Tickets sold out in seven minutes to watch Wiggins ride around in circles for 60 minutes, targeting Alex Dowsett’s record of 52.937-kilometres.

And the 2012 Tour de France champion, four-time Olympic gold medallist and world time-trial champion delivered in 54.526km.

For Wiggins it was a one-time opportunity, with the Rio Olympics next summer likely to be his swansong, and he has no plans to make a further bid if Dowsett or anyone else surpasses his mark.

“I won’t go for it again,” he said.

“I wouldn’t discount Alex. If he thinks it’s possible he’ll have a go at it.

“He’s probably got another eight years to have a go at it.

“I couldn’t have done much more. That’s raised the bar a fair bit to what the existing record was. I’ve got to be happy with that.”

Wiggins had set himself a target of over 55km (220 laps) and a record which would last a generation, thus bearing comparison with Bob Beamon’s long jump world record from 1968 which lasted almost 23 years.

He did everything in his power, even shaving his beard, to perform, but the conditions at the Lee Valley VeloPark in London – formerly known as the Olympic Velodrome - were not conducive to such a distance and Dowsett may be among those encouraged to try again.

Wiggins recorded the same distance to that achieved on Wednesday in a full dress rehearsal at lower – and therefore more favourable – pressure.

“It was 1030 (bar) pressure,” Wiggins added.

“I keep banging on about pressure, but it was probably the worst weekend to have done it in the last couple of months.

“Perhaps not as far as I maybe have dreamed or hoped had the conditions been different, but satisfied nonetheless.

“If I’d had had 1000 dead today instead of 1030 I reckon I’d have gone 700m further.”

Wiggins became the sixth rider to win the Tour and claim the Hour Record, which is said by those who have accomplished it to be their toughest athletic challenge.

Wiggins quipped it was the closest he would come to childbirth, but believes being in possession of the yellow jersey and under siege from all was a more exhausting experience. He even referenced an attack from former Team Sky colleague Chris Froome in the 2012 Tour.

He added: “I was in a lot of pain the last 10 minutes.

“Try leading the Tour for two weeks, that’s bloody hard. Looking over your shoulder every two...

“I don’t think it will ever surpass the Tour in terms of the intensity.”

Asked how he will celebrate, Wiggins said: “By standing up for a start. Struggling to sit down at the moment.”