Bradley Wiggins Enters Tour De France As The Man To Beat [Video]
The Tour de France has never been won by a British cyclist but that could change next month. With Alberto Contador and Andy Schleck out of the race, Team Sky cyclist Bradley Wiggins is the man to beat during the 99th running of the Tour De France.
According to Sports Illustrated, Wiggins became the first rider in history to win the Paris-Nice, the Tour of Romandie and the Criterium du Dauphine in the same year and is ready to add the Tour De France to that list.
Wiggins said:
“Since I was 12, I always thought about winning the Tour, but never maybe thought that it would be a reality… The team’s preparation has been perfectly managed and our form this season gives us a great chance of being successful… I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time and I’ll do everything I can to win the Tour de France.”
Wiggins best finish at the Tour De France was fourth in 2009. He finished 24th in 2010 and he crashed out of the race in 2011.
Wiggins said:
“I guess the biggest thing for me last year was never dwelling too much on the successes I had and instead be always looking forward to the next target… I think that’s continuing right now. We’ve spent months looking toward this year and planning for it. And we’ve not been resting on any laurels.”
Wiggins is the favorite heading into this year’s race but the British rider isn’t getting too cocky. Wiggins said that defending champion Cadel Evans is the true favorite of the 2012 Tour De France.
“I still think Cadel is the man to beat…. He was the winner last year, he’s a good time trialist, a good climber, he can win sprints on small mountains, so he without doubt is still the man to beat for this year’s Tour. And he wants it, he fights all the time, he never gives up, so for me he’s the main man.”
In addition to the Tour De France, Wiggins will also be competing at the 2012 London Olympics. The 2012 Tour De France begins on June 30th and ends on July 22nd, giving Wiggins a little over a week to rest and prepare for his Olympic event on August 1st.
