Bradley Wiggins took the overall lead at the Criterium du Dauphine with a fine time trial performance on Wednesday, but the Briton is already looking forward to testing his form in the mountain stages.
Team Sky leader Wiggins, like most of the top guns, is using the Dauphine as a warm-up race before the Tour de France, where he will once again spearhead the British challenge next month.
Wiggins finished third in the opening short time trial and only lost out to German Tony Martin in Wednesday’s third stage on the exact same 42.5km time trial the rider will tackle on the penultimate Tour de France stage.
Photo: AFP
Wiggins clocked 55 minutes, 38 seconds, 11 seconds adrift of HTC-Highroad rider Martin.
Team Sky did well on the day, with Norway’s Edvald Boasson Hagen taking third place 43 seconds off the pace.
It was nothing more than business as usual for the Briton on Wednesday, though, as he had already set his sights on the Dauphine’s mountain stages.
Tomorrow, the Dauphine will take the riders through six climbs, with an uphill finish at top of the demanding Collet d’Allevard and Sunday’s final stage will feature the punishing ascents to the Col du Glandon and La Toussuire.
Three-times Olympic champion Wiggins finished fourth overall in the 2009 Tour de France, but, on a more demanding route, could only manage 24th place last year.
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