Cycling: What has already become apparent in the past few weeks has now come true. Bradley Wiggins will have to watch the Tour de France in front of the TV this year.
As his Team Sky announced yesterday, the 2012 Tour de France winner will not be part of the squad for the 101st edition of the race. Team manager Dave Brailsford explained that team spirit was important to him. "It was a difficult decision. He's a great champion, but my job is to build a winning team," said the Briton.
The ongoing dispute between defending champion Chris Froome and Wiggins may have contributed to this. The fact is that both have already struggled with injuries this year and that the team will face a different wind this year in France than in the past two years.
Alongside Froome are Richie Porte, Geraint Thomas, Mikel Nieve, Vasil Kiryienka, David Lopez, Bernhard Eisel, Xabier Zandio and Danny Pate. In addition to Wiggins, Ian Stannard, Sergio Henao and Edvald Boasson Hagen will also miss the tour.
Wiggins, who became British time trial champion again on Thursday, has already announced that he wants to return to the track on Monday. At the end of the year his contract with Sky expires, it is quite possible that he will find a place with another team afterwards. Orica-GreenEdge has already expressed interest.