Wiggins will not ride in Tour de France and may quit Team Sky
First British winner Bradley Wiggins says he will only join team if 'something happens' to Chris Froome
Bradley Wiggins, the first Briton to win the Tour de France, says he does not expect to take part in this year's race unless "something happens" to his rival, and last year's winner, Chris Froome.
The Olympic gold-medalist said he was "gutted" about the situation and hinted that he was ready to quit the Sky cycling team. "If I want to do the Tour, I will have to leave Sky," he told French newspaper L'Equipe, reports the Daily Telegraph.
His comments hint at the tensions between the two British riders who have delivered back-to-back Tour de France triumphs for Sky. Despite Wiggins' higher profile and popularity Sky has decided to back Froome in this year's race.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Earlier this week Wiggins was left out of Sky's team for the traditional Tour warm-up, the Criterium du Dauphine, which begins on Sunday, amid rumours that Froome had blacklisted him. As the team's lead rider, Froome has a large say in selection and prefers to work with Australian Richie Porte.
Froome and Wiggins fell out during the 2012 Tour as Froome was forced to play second fiddle while Wiggins pedalled his way to victory. The following year, in the absence of an injured Wiggins, Froome won the race himself.
"The team is focused around Chris Froome," Wiggins told the BBC. "I am gutted. I feel I am in the form I was two years ago. Now if I want to go to the Tour again, the reality is that I might have to go elsewhere."
Wiggins also told L'Equipe that Sky had urged him to concentrate on track cycling and the Commonwealth Games. "These last few weeks, it has become more and more clear that unless something happens to Froome at the Dauphine, I will not be at the Tour. There we go," he said.
"If something happens to one of the other squad members, it won't be me who replaces him."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
7 beautiful towns to visit in Switzerland during the holidays
The Week Recommends Find bliss in these charming Swiss locales that blend the traditional with the modern
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
The Week contest: Werewolf bill
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
'This needs to be a bigger deal'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Team Ineos: Tour de Yorkshire cycling event to be hit by anti-fracking protests
In Depth Team Sky takeover has caused concern among environmentalists and rival cycling teams
By The Week Staff Published
-
Chelsea takeover: will Britain’s richest man buy the Blues?
Speed Read Sir Jim Ratcliffe is also set to add cycling’s Team Sky to his portfolio
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sky to end Team Sky backing in 2019: success, scandal and the end of a cycling era
In Depth Since launching in 2010, the cycling powerhouse has scored 322 all-time wins including six Tour de France victories
By The Week Staff Published
-
Geraint Thomas’s Tour de France trophy stolen in Birmingham
Speed Read Team Sky confirm theft of the trophy the Welsh cycling star won in July
By The Week Staff Published
-
Geraint Thomas: CCC offer contract to Tour de France winner
Speed Read Welsh cycling hero welcomed home in Cardiff today
By The Week Staff Published
-
Tour de France: victory is ‘stuff of dreams’ for Geraint Thomas
Speed Read How the cycling world reacted to the Welshman’s stunning Tour win
By The Week Staff Published
-
Tour de France: Geraint Thomas rides nearer to the title
Speed Read Defending champion Chris Froome pledges loyalty to Team Sky buddy
By The Week Staff Published
-
Tour de France: race leader Geraint Thomas prepares for war
Speed Read Thomas and Team Sky teammate Chris Froome face stern challenges from the peloton and hostile fans
By The Week Staff Published