Bradley Wiggins to target the Giro d’Italia and the Tour de France both in the coming season
Bradley Wiggins noted that he is targeting an overall victory at the two opening Grand Tour races of the season, the Giro d’Italia and the Tour de France 2013.
Targeting the top podium position at the two simultaneous Grand Tours is considered as the sport’s most difficult double but the Brit believes that he has enough in him especially after a motivating double at the Tour de France and the Olympics this year.
Many have attempted to do the Giro-Tour double there are not many who have managed to stand on the top podium position on both the occasions, in fact the list if pretty concise, consisting of seven riders only.
Fausto Coppi (1949, 1952), Jacques Anquetil (1964), Eddy Merckx (1970, 1972, 1974), Bernard Hinault (1982, 1985), Stephen Roche (1987), Miguel Indurain (1992, 1993) and Marco Pantani (1998 are the only seven cyclists that receive the honours.
Bradley had a terrific 2012 season and admits that it will be impossible to beat his own self in terms of performance for the new season but one goal which he does not seem to forgo that easily is the Grand Tour double.
The Guardian reported him as saying, "I've always wanted to win a second Tour. I'm the defending champion. I want to try and win the Giro d'Italia and win the Tour de France behind it. People say it can't be done, winning two Tours. So let's have a go at
it".
However, Team Sky General Manager, David Brailsford stated that it is good to know Wiggins’ ambitions but he will have to prove himself on his bike.
"I was thrilled that [Wiggins has] got his appetite back. He's hungry and he wants it again," Brailsford noted.
"It's a problem I relish and we'll assess it as we get closer".
"We've certainly got some plans now, and as we move through the season, we'll use evidence and results as we move along," he concluded.
Brailsford earlier noted that Wiggins will ride the Giro while Christopher Froome will be given his chances at the Tour de France this year however, Bradley’s varying plans is definitely making it difficult for Froome to be certain of 2013 racing plan.
Tags: