• London Olympics 2012

Wiggins to do Tour de France and Olympics in 10 days

ESPN staff
July 27, 2011
Bradley Wiggins broke his collarbone in the Tour de France © PA Photos
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Bradley Wiggins will risk his Olympic dreams by putting himself through a punishing Tour de France campaign just 10 days before he is to compete in London.

Wiggins was seen as a major contender for a place on the podium at this year's Tour, but he broke his collarbone during stage seven, immediately ending his hopes. He claims he is already 90 per cent recovered, and the pain of the last few weeks has only heightened his desire to return in a year's time.

The Tour ends on July 22, and Wiggins will be expected to compete for an Olympic gold medal in the road time trial for Great Britain on August 1. He also has commitments to his colleagues in the team pursuit, in which he is a defending champion.

Wiggins would risk his physical freshness and chances of injury by competing in the Tour so close to the Olympics, but it is a gamble he is willing to take.

"The whole period of the Tour and the Olympic cycling events is a priority for me next year," Wiggins said in the Telegraph. "Certainly, I think I can do all three.

"I will do everything possible to be the best in the Tour and then it will be straight back into holding camp in London and the Olympics. With the right preparation, it is possible to sustain form for seven weeks.

"The risk of racing the Tour de France is that I could jeopardise the Olympics but that it is a risk I am willing to take and just about everybody riding the Tour will also be looking to double up at the Olympics.

"Risk is just part of bike racing; something can happen any time, just training or on the track."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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