Wiggins remains doubt for Tour de France despite California win
OLYMPIC champion Sir Bradley Wiggins blasted away fears his form is not strong enough to race in the Tour de France by closing out victory in the Tour of California last night, though refused to confirm whether he would be prepared to play second fiddle to champion Chris Froome.
Wiggins won his first race for eight months by a 30-second margin from Australian Rohan Dennis, having led for seven of the eight stages.
Though as Team Sky have been preparing the ultimate squad to help try and score a third consecutive title it had been suggested Wiggins, the first Briton to ever win the Tour de France in 2012, would not be included.
While the 34-year-old would not give a definitive answer as to whether he would be on the start line come 5 July, Wiggins conceded he knew what his role would have to be.
“Chris wants to win his second Tour and, as the defending champions, everyone understands that including myself,” said Wiggins, winner of seven Olympic road and track medals including four golds.
“If I am fortunate enough to be in the Tour it will be in support of Chris.”
Britain’s Mark Cavendish sprinted to victory in the final stage, while compatriot Adam Yates, fresh from victory at the Tour of Turkey, placed fifth overall, two minutes 14 seconds behind Wiggins winning time of 25:28.15.
At the Giro D’Italia, meanwhile, Australia’s Cadel Evans held on to the leader’s pink jersey yesterday after stage nine.
Evans leads by 57 seconds in the General Classification standings from Rigoberto Uran of Colombia. The race resumes tomorrow.