( CNN ) -- Tour de France champion Bradley Wiggins doubled Britain 's gold medal tally , just hours after the host nation won its first event at the London Olympics on Wednesday . With his seventh Olympic medal , four of them gold , Wiggins is now the most decorated British Olympian , while the morning 's medal ensured Heather Stanning and Helen Glover became the first British female rowers to win an Olympic title . Wiggins had been the favorite for gold after winning both time trial stages en route to becoming Britain 's first Tour de France Champion last month this year , and his dominance was clear to see as he finished eight seconds ahead of the Germany 's 2011 world champion Tony Martin . Wiggins ' teammate Chris Froome claimed the bronze , as former Olympic champion Fabian Cancellara ended a disappointing seventh . The Swiss rider injured his shoulder in Saturday 's road race and was clearly in pain when he crossed finish line . American Taylor Phinney finished fourth , nine seconds off a podium place . Earlier , 27-year-old Stanning and Glover , 26 , established an imperious lead from the start in the coxless pair 's . -- stretching it to as much as two lengths at one point -- as they opened Britain 's gold medal account . Australia 's Kate Hornsey and Sarah Tait claimed silver , with Juliette Haigh and Rebecca Scown of New Zealand a mere 0.33 seconds behind in third . Tens of thousands of British fans -- eager for a first victory for the Olympic hosts -- had lined the banks of Eton Dorney to witness the Britons finish in 7:27.13 , three seconds ahead of Australia . Moments later Britain were on the podium again , as the men 's eights put in a battling performance in the to claim bronze , behind a resurgent Canada in second and a dominant German team in first . Britain 's cycling and rowing medal successes helped GB move up in the medal table from 21st to 10th , with hopes high that there could be more medals for the hosts at the Aquatics Center in Wednesday 's evening session .
Team GB win their first gold medals on day five of the Olympics . Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins becomes the most decorated British Olympian . Rowers Heather Stanning and Helen Glover triumph in the women 's pair . TL;DR The London 2012 Olympic Games kick off with a bang as athletes from around the world compete for medals, glory and glory.