Bradley Wiggins is prepared to lead team Sky and an all-British fight at the Tour de France. He finished off his final preparations this week, ready for the start in Rotterdam Saturday.
"Allowing myself to be a bit emotional for a minute – which I'm trying to avoid – but it's like being given captaincy to lead England into World Cup," Wiggins told journalist in a press conference. "It's quite a proud moment. But the proudest moment will be finishing the job off."
The 30-year-old Londoner left team Garmin over the off-season Great Britain's new super team, Sky. With Garmin, he surprised many by going on to finish fourth behind winner Alberto Contador at the Tour de France last year.
Based on his preparations, he is ready to take the next step – standing on the Tour de France's podium in Paris.
"The plan that we put in place in November has worked out perfectly, sometimes it's been frustrating to have to hold back. My last big test was Thursday on a local climb of 30 minutes, which gives you clear power to weight number. We do it before any big race and even if the numbers are good, it doesn't mean you're going to win Tour de France," Wiggins continued.
Wiggins spent the last week previewing some of the key climbs and going over the Tour de France route book.
"It's good to see the climbs in the flesh. I had Steven Cummings and Mike Barry with me. Mike was especially helpful, he incredibly experienced at seeing things I might not – knowing what's ahead, what each climb entails – it is a huge bonus.
"The Col de la Madeleine is a tough climb, but it is about taking the race day by day. The Tour de France will be incredible shit fight in the first week. Some of stages could be make or break for some riders.
"You take what you can whenever you can, though it will be the first Tour de France I've gone into where prologue hasn't been so important. This time it's stage one of many. There will be two races on Saturday: one for the prologue specialists and one for the GC guys. My main priority is that race and put as much time as I can into those [GC] guys. The priority is to do as best I can and get as much time on likes of [Lance] Armstrong, Schleck brothers [Fränk and Andy]."
Starting with the first road stage Sunday to Brussels, Wiggins will have the help of eight team-mates: Edvald Boasson Hagen, Steve Cummings, Juan Antonio Flecha, Simon Gerrans, Thomas Löfkvist, Geraint Thomas, Serge Pauwels and Michael Barry.
"The team's been built around having strength in those areas to get me through those stages. Edvald, Flecha, Geraint will be invaluable in the first week – same for everyone though."
Wiggins' work will show improvements and will help him net a podium place in Paris. However, he faces Armstrong, the Schlecks, Ivan Basso, Cadel Evans and, one of cycling's strongest stage racers, Contador.
"It's not life and death, it's sport. With the way everything has gone, though, I couldn't be in a better position. Without any bad luck, I'll get the result I want."