Rio Olympics 2016: Bradley Wiggins praises suspended cycling supremo Shane Sutton as the man behind Team GB’s track glory – and hopes he returns

BRADLEY WIGGINS has hailed controversial Shane Sutton’s role in Team GB’s track glory.

British cycling supremo Sutton quit in April after he was suspended over claims of sexism, discrimination and bullying.

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But Wiggins wants him  to return and said he would be happy for his  daughter Bella, 10, a budding cyclist, to work under the Aussie’s regime.

Wiggo became the first Brit to claim eight Olympic medals when he won his fifth gold in the team pursuit — one of four racked up by Team GB so far in Rio.

And he puts that haul down to Sutton, who sent him a motivational text branding him “the greatest” before his moment of history on Friday.

Wiggins, 36, admitted: “All this stuff is a result of his work. He put all the foundations in place for this week, over years.

“I came back to the track squad because he was in charge. I spoke to him before the final. I can read you the text.

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“It said, ‘OK, job done, read the clock, remember Beijing, don’t think records, think medals. Stay relaxed in the line. Deliver. You’ll become the greatest by end of play because you are’.”

Sutton’s position came under scrutiny when track sprinter Jess Varnish claimed he told her to “go and have a baby” after she was dropped from British Cycling’s Olympic programme.

He denies making those comments and also rejects claims he referred to Paralympic cyclists as “wobblies” and “gimps”.

And Wiggins said: “This whole sexism thing. I’d never, ever seen any sign of that.

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“If I’m completely honest, I think there’s a lot of bitter people that didn’t make the grade, got the boot and they have now come out picking holes in things.

“The tone of how some things are said can be skewed quite a bit.

“I don’t want to dismiss the claims. But at the same time, I understand more than anyone that there are two sides to every story.

“I know Shane better than anyone and I believe he’ll be cleared.

“He wants to come back. He said his life is pretty empty without this.”