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Bradley Wiggins in discussion over new one-year deal with Team Sky Bradley Wiggins in discussion over new one-year deal with Team Sky
(35 minutes later)
Dave Brailsford is hopeful he can persuade Bradley Wiggins to stay with Team Sky – and says he is willing to support his ambition to compete in the Rio Olympics “in any way” possible.Dave Brailsford is hopeful he can persuade Bradley Wiggins to stay with Team Sky – and says he is willing to support his ambition to compete in the Rio Olympics “in any way” possible.
Speaking during the stage to La Planche des Belle Filles, won by Wiggins two years ago, Brailsford dismissed reports in Italian newspapers that a deal had been signed as untrue. But he admitted the pair were talking about an arrangement that could lead to Wiggins focusing primarily on adding to his seven Olympic medals – a British record – in 2016. Speaking during the stage to La Planche des Belle Filles, Brailsford dismissed reports in Italian newspapers that a deal had been signed as untrue. But he admitted the pair were talking about an arrangement that could lead to Wiggins focusing primarily on adding to his seven Olympic medals – a British record – in 2016.
“As we’ve said before he is a great champion,” said Brailsford. “He is very much part of the Team Sky story. And I think with his goal set on Rio, if we can support that in any way that would be a great thing.“As we’ve said before he is a great champion,” said Brailsford. “He is very much part of the Team Sky story. And I think with his goal set on Rio, if we can support that in any way that would be a great thing.
“I don’t think we can forget that one of Team Sky’s original goals was to support the Olympic efforts of British cycling as well as to win the Tour. In that respect I think it makes sense. We did it with Geraint Thomas and we did it with Pete Kennaugh, where they had very modified race programmes which allowed them to optimise their preparations for the Olympic Games.“I don’t think we can forget that one of Team Sky’s original goals was to support the Olympic efforts of British cycling as well as to win the Tour. In that respect I think it makes sense. We did it with Geraint Thomas and we did it with Pete Kennaugh, where they had very modified race programmes which allowed them to optimise their preparations for the Olympic Games.
“We’re looking to see whether something similar can be done.”“We’re looking to see whether something similar can be done.”
Wiggins, meanwhile, has says that main main targets next year will be an attempt on the world hour record and the Paris-Roubaix classic – not winning the Tour de France. Speaking to Gazzetta he was also reported to have said: “My time as a Grand Tour rider is over. I’ll still ride them but not to win them,” Wiggins, meanwhile, has said that his main targets next year will be an attempt on the world hour record and the Paris-Roubaix classic – not winning the Tour de France. Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport he was also reported to have said: “My time as a Grand Tour rider is over. I’ll still ride them but not to win them.”
Yet it is understood that Wiggins has not ruled out competing in the Tour next year – especially as Chris Froome’s crash last week has made Team Sky re-evaluate his importance in grand tours. Wiggins might not be Plan A anymore, but his experience and class would have been invaluable in Froome’s absence. Yet it is understood that Wiggins has not ruled out competing in the Tour next year – especially as Chris Froome’s crash last week has made Team Sky re-evaluate his importance in Grand Tours. Wiggins might not be Plan A anymore, but his experience and class would have been invaluable in Froome’s absence.
Wiggins is also not short of offers, having been courted by Orica GreenEdge and Garmin-Sharp after not being selected by Sky for this year’s Tour, but it is understood that all sides expect a deal will be reached in the early autumn.Wiggins is also not short of offers, having been courted by Orica GreenEdge and Garmin-Sharp after not being selected by Sky for this year’s Tour, but it is understood that all sides expect a deal will be reached in the early autumn.
Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Wiggins revealed he was also eyeing Ondrej Sosenka’s world hour record, which has stood since 2005: “I’m thinking about the Hour Record,” he said. “Not this year but I’ll try next year.” Speaking to Gazzetta, Wiggins revealed he was also eyeing Ondrej Sosenka’s world hour record, which has stood since 2005: “I’m thinking about the Hour Record,” he said. “Not this year but I’ll try next year.”
Wiggins also expressed his desire to have another pop at Paris-Roubaix next April, after finishing ninth this year. “They’re the most beautiful roads, in the most fascinating race in the world: Roubaix,” he said. “I rode this year but next year I want to win it. It’ll be my big goal for 2015.”Wiggins also expressed his desire to have another pop at Paris-Roubaix next April, after finishing ninth this year. “They’re the most beautiful roads, in the most fascinating race in the world: Roubaix,” he said. “I rode this year but next year I want to win it. It’ll be my big goal for 2015.”
Next Wiggins will ride in the Commonwealth Games later this month and Vuelta e Espana in August but both events will be used as a tune up for his main target in 2014: the world time-trial championships. Next Wiggins will ride in the Commonwealth Games later this month and the Vuelta a España in August but both events will be used as a tune up for his main target in 2014: the world time-trial championships.