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Wiggins going for both gold and yellow in 2012?

Bradley Wiggins looks to be signing up for the Tour de France as well as the Olympics in 2012.

With just 366 days to go until the start of the 2012 Olympics in London, all British eyes are turned on which athletes will be representing Great Britain in the various disciplines. Cycling in particular. 

So, it may surprise some that Bradley Wiggins looks like he's going to be competing for a podium finish in next year's Tour de France (from June 30th to July 22nd) as well as aiming for a medal in the road time trial at the Olympics on August 1st. And if that wasn't enough, he'd automatically be expected to compete in the Olympic road race on July 28th, just six days after the Champs Elysee and is also offering himself for selection for the team pursuit.  

Its is, however, all less surprising perhaps when you consider the crushing disappointment faced by the Team Sky rider in this year's tour, as he was forced to withdraw from the race in Stage 7 following a crash in which he suffered a broken collar bone. 

Wiggins told The Telegraph "The whole period of the Tour and the Olympic cycling events is a priority for me next year. Certainly I think I can do all three."

"I will do everything possible to be the best in the Tour and then it will be straight back into holding camp in London and the Olympics."

With regard to the fears of jeopardising his country's Olympic medal chances by competing in the Tour, he said "that is a risk I'm willing to take, and just about everybody riding the Tour will also be looking to double up at the Olympics."

Ultimately, it will be up to GB management as to whether it is deemed practical and workable for Wiggins to ride as part of the GB Team Pursuit Squad as well as the road time trial. This winter's training programme will almost certainly see a decision being made. 

So, can one rider wear yellow and gold together? 

Lara has been riding bikes for longer than she'd care to admit, and writing about them nearly as long. Since 2009 she has been working as part of the road.cc review team whilst championing women's cycling on the side, most notably via two years as editor of the, sadly now defunct, UK's first and only women's cycling mag, erm, Women's Cycling. 

Believing fervently that cycling will save the world, she wishes that more people would just ride a bike and be pleasant to each other. 

She will ride anything with two wheels, occasionally likes to go fast, definitely likes to go far and is always up for a bit of exploring somewhere new and exciting. 

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5 comments

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phax71 | 12 years ago
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Good Luck to Wiggo, whatever he decides..

Was absolutely gutted to see him crash outta this years TDF, what with him being fitter than ever, sounding more relaxed than 2010, etc .... its was crying shame..

I hope he's good n strong for TDF next year also, like most the Olympics doesn't bother me at all...

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RuthF28 | 12 years ago
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I was wondering if either the Olympics or the TdF would be hit by being so close together - obviously many other riders and their managers / teams will have the same decision to make. I just hope the TdF doesn't suffer as a result, but am so looking forward to 6 solid weeks of great sport this time next year. It's all a bit flat after the Champs Elysees finish.

As for the comment about wearing yellow and gold together - that's ASKING for trouble - another fall on cobbles would see him out of both.

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shot18 | 12 years ago
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Why the big deal... Swifty rode the Giro, then the TdF, and was back out on the Chaingang this Tuesday. It's their job... riding is what they do. Yes the TdF is tough, but it's not like the guys don't enjoy riding...

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Fringe | 12 years ago
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if the olympics weren't in London would Wiggins be so bothered?. personally i think he should get on with the TdF etc and forget about the olympics..(been there, done that etc etc)

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othello | 12 years ago
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Whoever winds gold at the olympics, I do hope they don't bling their bike and kit with gold bits like SS has done. He has been dinning off that gold medal ever since.  37

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