Wiggins dealt double blow in Tour de Suisse
Crash compounds illness woes for Team Sky rider
If Bradley Wiggins wanted to earn a chance to show himself to the Team Sky leaders with a stellar Tour de Suisse performance ahead of selection for the Tour de France, he wasn't helped by his fortunes. After falling ill and losing 2:25 on stage 3's hectic finish, a crash on today's fourth stage set him even further back.
Wiggins' Tour of California won't decide his Tour de France team selection
Next stop Tour de France for Wiggins after Tour of California success
Report: Orica-GreenEdge interested in Wiggins
Split racing schedules for Froome and Wiggins ahead of the Tour de France
Wiggins left out of Team Sky's Tour de France team
Wiggins's Tour de France absence opens door further for Orica-GreenEdge
Wiggins crashed into the barriers along with CCC Polsat's Jaroslaw Marycz at the end of the first of two final circuits, and took several minutes to remount and begin chasing down the peloton. In the end, he lost 11:55, and is now well down in the overall classification in 99th place.
His team reported this afternoon that his injuries were not serious.
"As for Bradley, he sustained grazing and bruising to the muscles on his right leg, which will be treated overnight and the team doctor will be reviewing his injury in the morning," directeur sportif Dan Frost said on TeamSky.com.
"Bradley has been carrying a mild chest infection from the weekend so he has been taking antibiotics and his condition has improved. Racing with this illness has affected him a bit, but he’s shown his commitment and has worked really well for the team."
Earlier this month, Wiggins aired his grievances at being possibly left out of Team Sky's Tour de France squad in an interview with BBC television. The 2012 Tour de France champion won that title despite barely reined in ambition from the subsequent Tour winner and teammate Chris Froome. Both riders have shown fine form and motivation in recent months, although Wiggins, should he earn a berth for the Tour, has stated that he would submit to the role of a helper.
Team principal David Brailsford was diplomatic about the team selection, stating last week that it would only be finalised after the Tour de Suisse.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Wiggins has been ruminating over where to direct his focus, whether it be going back to the track for the Olympics in Rio in 2016, or to leave Team Sky and aim for another Tour de France title. There have been reports of discussions between Wiggins and Orica-GreenEdge, and Wiggins himself has stated that he may have to leave Team Sky to be allowed to ride the Tour again.
Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*
Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets
After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59
Join now for unlimited access
Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1