Bradley Wiggins' main goal for this year is the Tour de France, but he won't be taking the Giro d'Italia, which starts today, lightly. His goal is to win a stage and wear the pink jersey, which is given to the leader in the overall classification. His goal isn't to wear it in Verona, where the race ends, but a prologue win could see him spend the weekend in the lead.
Wiggins does not want to change his formula to use the Giro as preparation for the Tour de France. "Last year it worked outstanding for me," he said according to Sporza. In 2009 Wiggins missed the Tour podium by just one spot. "The Giro really helped me then."
This year, doing the Giro will also be valuable, according to Wiggins. "The first week in the Giro is almost identical to the first week in the Tour. The prologues are similar and then there are some stages where the wind can play an important role." Both the Giro and Tour start in the Netherlands rather than in their respective countries.
The Giro will start in Amsterdam. "This will be an ideal test with regards to the Tour," Wiggins said. July's Tour will kick off in Rotterdam. Wiggins is ready to go full-out today. "I have my mind set to the time trial in Amsterdam. There, I want the pink jersey - otherwise we will have to do it in the team time trial." Wiggins is confident about the horsepower of his Sky team.
While some consider him among the overall favorites, Wiggins has other ideas. "My goal in this Giro is a stage win, wear the pink jersey and figure with the best in the mountain stages. But there will be a moment when I will take it easy." Wiggins added he won't step off the gas if he wears the pink jersey. "I wouldn't do this out of respect to the Giro, but I don't want to get too tired with respect to the Tour. It is more important."
Wiggins, like others, is impressed with the end of the Giro. "The last week is really tough. If you have to go all out then, you can risk the rest of your season."