Bradley Wiggins is now focusing his attention on the grand prize in cycling - the Tour De France which starts on June 30th.
The East Londoner, who now lives in the North West, was in fine form to retain the Criterium Du Dauphine on Sunday and has become the only man to win the Paris-Nice, Tour Of Romandie and Criterium Du Dauphine in the same season.
However, for Wiggins, his one goal this year is the Tour De France and speaking to the Team Sky website, he said; “This is all a road to winning the Tour hopefully, that’s the goal. But at the same time along the way I have to stop and think, ‘hang on a minute, I’ve just won Paris-Nice and Romandie and the Dauphine again.
“You have to take that in otherwise they’re meaningless. It’s nice to be able to reflect on these wins because a lot of riders would like to win Paris-Nice or Romandie or the Dauphine in their career, let alone three in the same year.
“So I have certainly enjoyed what I’ve done this year, it means a lot to me regardless of what happens at the Tour now. But obviously the Tour is what it’s all been about.”
“I think this year I’ve had a good run at it now and I think this is the best shape I’ve been in to win the Tour. My time trialling has improved, my climbing’s improved, my team is really strong and they have improved. I’m ready to go. The best athlete will win in the Tour. It’s not going to be easy; it’s probably going to be the hardest thing I’ve ever done. But if the Tour was easy to win everyone would do it. That’s what the challenge has been for me, and that’s what makes it so big that I’m willing to sacrifice the things I do to do it.
“I’ve just won the Dauphine for the second time; there are not many riders who have done that. Just looking down the list of winners, you’ve got (Miguel) Indurain, Lance (Armstrong), (Bernard) Hinault won it three times. You’re adding your name to a very special list that will be there for the rest of your life.
“It’s only two and a half weeks from now before we have to be back at the Tour. It’s the perfect amount of time and it’s a really nice way to finish the Tour preparations. The next two weeks are about freshening up and putting on the finishing touches like prologue work so we’re ready for Liege.”