Bradley Wiggins (Garmin-Slipstream) was clearly pleased to be racing again on home-soil (Image credit: splitsecondimages.co.uk)
Garmin-Slipstream rider Bradley Wiggins returns to country of his father when he rides the Jayco Herald Sun Tour, which begins in Ballarat this Sunday.
Wiggins, who finished this year's Tour de France fourth overall, will lead the American squad in its quest to secure the 58th title on offer. He realises the role the event plays in his personal history.
"For my dad it was one of his last races as a professional bike rider and my second father [Great Britain coach] Shane Sutton rode this race and won it," said Wiggins.
In recent times the race has boasted grand tour stage winners on its palmares, which is also something that impresses the triple Olympic gold medallist, who has dominated the individual pursuit at the highest level in recent years.
"It's a long standing event and every year it produces... From Simon Gerrans to Baden Cooke and last year with Stuart O'Grady - it's always got a prestigious winner," he said.
While Wiggins is coming to the end of a taxing season and could be forgiven for taking his foot off the accelerator a little, teammates such as Trent Lowe, Svein Tuft and Chris Sutton - whose father and uncle have both won the event - provide the Garmin-Slipstream squad with an added dimension and several cards to play during the week.
"It's always decided on someone who is in form and has been racing well during the year," noted Wiggins.
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