Bradley Wiggins playing super-domestique for Sky at Paris-Nice
With an eye on Paris-Roubaix in April, Bradley Wiggins has been supporting Sky team-mates in Paris-Nice. Photos by Graham Watson
Sir Bradley Wiggins spent large chunks of time at the front of the peloton during stage one of Paris-Nice on Monday, working for his Sky team-mates.
Sky had several interests in the opening road stage of the race after Sunday's prologue, with Ben Swift a possible sprint stage winner, and Geraint Thomas and Richie Porte sitting in good positions overall.
Although Wiggins himself is currently one position ahead of Porte, in 12th overall, he has no designs on winning overall as he eyes Paris-Roubaix in April and appeared happy to play the role of super-domestique. Wiggins won the 2012 edition of the race on his way to winning the Tour de France later that year in July, and so he knows it well.
Wiggins helped lead the pace in the second half of the stage, as escapees Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) and Anthony Delaplace (Bretagne-Seche Environnement) were given a free rein by a dawdling peloton. However, that slackening of the pace almost backfired as the duo wound up their speed in the final 20 kilometres. They were caught, inevitably, but with just two kilometres to go.
In the subsequent frantic bunch gallop into Contres, Swift opened up his sprint early and looked good but had to swerve dramatically to the side of the road as another rider moved into his line. Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) eventually took the honours, with Swift in ninth.
Wiggins himself rolled in at the back of the peloton, retaining his 12th spot overall.
After his attempt to win Paris-Roubaix on April 12, Wiggins will leave Team Sky and join the British-based outfit that bears his name: Team Wiggins. He will attempt to set a new Hour Record at some point in June at the Lee Valley Velodrome in London.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, an exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.
-
Trek USCX will host 4 consecutive UCI cyclocross race weekends on US soil
Trek becomes American UCI Cyclocross series title sponsor, adding a fourth race to the series in October at its headquarters in Waterloo, Wisconsin.
By Kristin Jenny Published
-
Lip service isn't good enough: here's what needs to change for cycling events to actually be inclusive
These are the key actions that make an event actually inclusive and do more than just lip service.
By Marley Blonsky Published
-
Giro d'Italia 2024 start list: Geraint Thomas to lead 'aggressive' Ineos Grenadiers
All the teams and riders for the 107th Giro d'Italia
By Adam Becket Published
-
'It was time to change': No regrets for Rod Ellingworth after leaving Ineos Grenadiers
New Tour of Britain race director says he is still on good terms with Dave Brailsford after resigning from team last year
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I’m just here to enjoy it': Tom Pidcock on his surprise Paris-Roubaix appearance
British rider was a late addition to the Ineos Grenadiers team for the race across the pavé
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
The art of peaking with Geraint Thomas: 'It’s easy to take for granted that 9 times out of 10 I hit my goals'
The Welshman also calls for better governance in the sport to help it grow further
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers’ 500th victory was claimed by a woman; why do they still not have a team?
The British squad is one of the richest in cycling - but Ineos still won’t stump up for a women’s team
By Adam Becket Published
-
'This is so much more than a number': Six of the best Ineos Grenadiers wins as team claims 500th race victory
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot took the 500th team win at the weekend
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock 'wouldn’t be surprised' to see attacks before the Poggio at Milan-San Remo
British rider will lead the line for Ineos Grenadiers alongside Filippo Ganna
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Matteo Jorgenson seals American dream with overall victory at Paris-Nice
Remco Evenepoel wins eighth and final stage in rain-soaked 'Race to the Sun'
By Tom Davidson Published