Tour exploits mean more than Beijing, says Wiggins

Published on Monday 27 July 2009 22:43

YOU do not often get to top winning three gold medals at the Olympic Games, but Bradley Wiggins believes his stunning exploits at this year's Tour de France have done just that.

The 29-year-old was a picture of exhaustion as he rolled his way down the Champs-Elysees on Sunday evening to embrace his family following the final stage of the world's toughest bike race.

He summoned the energy to hug his wife Cath and his two children Ben (four) and Isabella (two) before he could finally come to terms with what he had just achieved over the past three weeks.

He had ended the Tour fourth overall, equalling the best finish by a Briton, and had mixed it with the best climbers in the world on some of the harshest ascents in cycling.

He may not have made it on to the podium but the six-time Olympic medalist was determined to give himself a pat on the back.

"It's completely different but, for me, it surpasses them (his Olympic achievements) quite a bit," he said.

"I know it's only fourth but in Britain, we make national heroes out of people coming fourth.

"It's probably surpassed it. Being in the company of the likes of (Lance) Armstrong and (Alberto) Contador in a three-week tour, it's definitely bigger than my Olympic achievements."

The Londoner clearly loves a challenge. An Olympic Games in his home city is on the horizon but he could be ready to let that train pass and dedicate his energies to the gruelling life of road-racing. Becoming a genuine contender in what is often regarded as sport's toughest test has stirred Wiggins' emotions.

"This could be the big goal now for the next few years. I don't know, we'll have to have a look at it," he said.

Fearsome a competitor as he is, Wiggins is also as honest as they come. He accepts he was not ready to wear the maillot jaune this year, but the steely look in his eye indicates it might be a different story in 2010.

Gazing over to the podium seconds before Contador, Andy Schleck and Armstrong were about to be introduced as the top-three finishers, Wiggins said: "It's no mean feat finishing behind those three guys. I don't mind admitting they are three much better bike riders than I am. I am just pleased to be in their company.

"To be on the podium would have been a bit of a cheat this year. Fourth is quite nice. I'm there but I'm not quite there.

"I lost 40 seconds on day three, and finished 37 seconds behind Lance. But whatever happens, you always end up with the three strongest guys on the podium."

Wiggins, the gold medalist in the individual and team pursuit in Beijing, admitted it had been a great three weeks for British cycling. Mark Cavendish stole a bit of Wiggins' thunder by winning six stages on the Tour, including yesterday's in Paris with a scorching finish down the French capital's most famous avenue.

"What Cav has achieved is pretty spectacular really," Wiggins said. "I'd probably say his winning six stages and he'd probably say my fourth place (is the more successful). The main thing is that for Great Britain, we've done an amazing job on this Tour."

Meanwhile, Contador has admitted relations between him and Astana team-mate Lance Armstrong are non-existent. Armstrong, a seven-time Tour winner who finished third in this year's edition, revealed during the race there was "tension" between him and Contador, and the Spaniard went further in comments on his return to Madrid yesterday. Contador said: "My relationship (with Armstrong] is nil. He's a great champion, and he had a great race in this Tour, but it's something else on a personal level, where I've never had a great admiration for him, and I never will. But as a rider he is a champion. I have nothing to say to Armstrong. The only thing is to congratulate him on his third-placed finish.

"On this Tour there have been more tough days in the hotel than in the race itself. It was a delicate situation, tense.

"The two riders who had the most weight in the team did not have a smooth relationship, and that puts the others in an uncomfortable position."