‘Tough decision’ leaves Sir Bradley Wiggins out at Sky

Sir Bradley Wiggins, the 2012 Tour de France winner, has not been included in the Sky team built around 2013 winner Chris Froome for this year’s event, but Sky boss Dave Brailsford says Wiggins still has a place with Sky.

In this composite image, Sir Bradley Wiggins, left, the 2012 Tour de France winner, will not be a part of the team supporting 2013 winner Christopher Froome at Sky for the 2014 edition of the event. BShow more

Sir Bradley Wiggins, the 2012 Tour de France winner, has not been included in the Sky team announced for this year’s event.

The Briton had long been resigned to being omitted from a team now built around compatriot Chris Froome, last year's winner, and Sky boss Dave Brailsford confirmed his omission when unveiling his squad on Friday.

“It was a very tough decision,” Brailsford said. “Bradley’s been a great champion, is a great champion – he’s been fundamental to the growth of cycling in this country. But my job is to look at the best probabilities to try to win, to picture somebody on that podium with the yellow jersey on the Champs Elysees and work back from there.

“You look at the riders you’ve got and think who’s the best placed to try and win, then you build a team based on evidence, based on logic – you try to take the emotion out of it.

“A star team will always beat a team of stars. I think that’s really important.”

But Brailsford was adamant Wiggins, who has won seven Olympic medals including four golds, had a future with Sky.

“On this occasion, Bradley will miss out,” he said. “But it’s one race, there’s still the future and there’s a lot more racing in Bradley.”

Wiggins, who in winning the race two years ago became Britain’s first Tour de France champion, is expected to turn his attention to competing at next month’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Froome will be supported by his long-time right-hand man Richie Porte in a nine-strong team, which includes Geraint Thomas, Mikel Nieve, Bernhard Eisel, Vasil Kiryienka, David Lopez, Danny Pate and Xabier Zandio as Sky go for a hat-trick of Tour wins.

“Team Sky returns to the Tour de France with the reigning champion and we are looking to win the yellow jersey for the third time in three years and a second consecutive time for Chris Froome,” said Brailsford.

“We know how hard it is to win this race and that it takes a totally focused and carefully constructed team, with the right blend of riders, to give us the best chance of victory.”

Froome has won both the Tour of Oman and Tour de Romandie this season as he has built up towards his title defence.

The 21-stage race begins on July 5 at Leeds, England and will conclude on July 27 in Paris.

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