Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Sports World |
| Wiggins relaxed about Tour chances Posted: 18 May 2011 10:56 AM PDT Britain's Bradley Wiggins feels both himself and Team Sky are in good form with the Tour de France creeping ever closer. Three-time Olympic gold medallist Wiggins has started 2011 in promising form, the highlight coming at last month's Paris-Nice race where the 30-year old finished an impressive eighth place at the eight stage event. As well as Wiggins' personal form, the rest of Team Sky have been putting in consistently strong performances this season. Geraint Thomas was in scintillating form at the Tour of Flanders earlier this month, only bad luck putting paid to his Paris-Roubaix chances after three falls in just 20km forced an early retirement. Those looking at the Tour de France odds will hope he does better this time. Wiggins believes Team Sky will continue this year after their experiences from their debut year in 2010. The young team have become a challenging force in only their second year and Wiggins is confident about the future. "It's our second year and we all know each other now and I think that's come through in the results. Across the board this year, the results have been fantastic and it seems week in, week out someone from Team Sky is doing something somewhere." Regarding his own chances at this year's Tour de France, Wiggins admitted his preparations weren't the best heading into last year's event where he finished way down in 24th, a year after his stunning 4th place finish, and the Brit feels more relaxed about this time around. "I certainly feel less pressure this year, for sure, and also the planning has been better. It all came up on us a bit last year." "I still don't know what I'm capable of in the Tour de France. The aim this year is to find out."  |
| Posted: 18 May 2011 10:52 AM PDT Reigning Tour of Italy champion Ivan Basso had decided to relinquish his title without a defence, deciding to pull out of his home event in favour of focusing on the Tour de France coming later on in the summer. With Basso missing from the line up, it will be Stefano Garzelli of Team Acqua & Sapone who will wear the number one jersey when the event starts from Turin on May 7th. A recent lack of both fitness and form were behind Basso's decision to pull out of the Giro, although the Italian admitted he would only have been competing to help assist team-mate and compatriot Vincenzo Nibali in his challenge for the title. Basso expressed his disappointment at not being able to compete in the race but admitted his home fans wouldn't have seen him at his best if he were involved. Those looking at the Tour de France betting should remember this. "It's a great sacrifice for me to pull out of the Giro but unfortunately with the shape I'm in at the moment I wouldn't be able to do it justice." "At the beginning of the season the idea was to ride the Giro before the Tour de France with the view of helping Vincenzo Nibali in his quest for the pink jersey." "Right to the last I tried to find the feeling that I could be comfortable and confident, but it hasn't arrived." The extra time off will need to be used well by the Italian rider who has had a disappointing season so far. It's been over five years since Basso has mounted a genuine Tour challenge, managing only 32nd last year. At 33, time isn't on Basso's side and he'll be desperate to be in good shape by the time the sport's showpiece event starts on July 2nd.  |
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