Despite having a contract that runs through 2010 it looks like Britain’s Bradley Wiggins wants to terminate his contract with American team Garmin-Slipstream. After scoring a fourth place in July’s Tour de France, the lanky rider seeks a stronger team to support him next year where he expects to compete for the top step, he announced at the World Championships in Mendrisio, Switzerland on Friday.
Wiggins, nicknamed Twiggo after losing several kilograms in preparation for this year’s Tour, used an analogy to express his ambitions for next year. "It's like trying to win the Champions League - you need to be at Manchester United but I'm playing at Wigan [Athletic] at the moment so I have to make that step up." he explained to the BBC Sport.
The three-time Olympic track champion didn’t expect to take fourth at this year’s Tour de France, "I never really imagined I'd be climbing with the best in the Tour. It has changed everything about the future and what I'm capable of achieving.”
The newly established British Team Sky would be a likely destination for Wiggins, but team manager Dave Brailsford failed to disclose whether he would be joining the team. "There are two or three more spots to fill on our roster and we have our eyes on a few riders. But key British riders are maybe under contract and we've got to respect that,” Brailsford told BBC Sport.
The question remains whether Team Garmin-Slipstream manager Johnathan Vaughters is willing to release the Brit, who may have a legitimate a shot at winning next years Tour de France.
"It will be very difficult to challenge (Tour winner) Alberto Contador,” admitted Wiggins.
“ He is an amazing rider but I'll go in the best possible condition and see what happens. I won't go in to finish third. I set off to win the race.”
Pressure has been the enemy of many riders when the switch teams for a big contract to win the Tour. If Wiggins does go elsewhere, there is a chance it could add unwanted pressure and adversely impact his performance in next year's Grand Boucle.