Team Sky's Bradley Wiggins is pleased with his performance during the six stage Tour of Qatar. With an eight second winning margin over Garmin-Transitions in the opening stage 1 team time trial, this was his first victory in 2010.
Until recently Wiggins had not intended to participate in the Tour of Qatar, but the opportunity to race in better weather conditions than what faced the Etoile de Bessenges stage race in France made him reevaluate his decision.
“Originally, I had to participate in the Etoile de Besseges, but looking at the weather that was expected at the time, I made the right decision [to race the Tour of Qatar].”
The Tour of Qatar, with its flat, fast stages proved to be the just the right type of training for Wiggins.
“I spent six good days and I recovered nicely for the next part of the season. Thursday we worked hard and chased after the escape which has given me a good workout . I could not do that at home training in the cold.”
Wiggins plans to return to England and then relocating to his Spanish home base of Girona before his next race, the Ruta del Sol which starts February 21st. After the Ruta del Sol Wiggins stays in Spain and will be contesting the Vuelta Mucia March 3rd through the 7th and then the Volta a Catalunya which starts March 22nd.
“I'll go to the Volta a Catalunya. After that I'll do a mini-break and start preparing for the Giro."
With a solid showing in Qatar and a full schedule of Spanish stage races, followed by the Giro, Wiggins' target is squarely set on the overall at the Tour de France.