Bradley Wiggins predicts Simon Yates will win the Giro and that Britons will take all three Grand Tours

Simon Yates for the Giro d’Italia, Chris Froome for the Tour de France and maybe Geraint Thomas for the Vuelta a Espana – those are the three riders Sir Bradley Wiggins predicts will win each of the Grand Tours this year in the latest episode of his Eurosport podcast.

Talking mostly about the Giro, which begins on May 11, Wiggins said that Yates – who went on to win the Vuelta – would be keen to make up for his 2018 implosion after having led the race for two weeks.

“Simon Yates has made no secret of his desire to rectify what happened last year. He’s worked on his time trial and he’s obviously won the time trial in Paris-Nice this year, so he seems to be on track for that. Plus his form is ideal,” he said.

He also believes that Team Sky’s Colombian rider, Egan Bernal – who will ride under the new Team Ineos name come the Giro – will prove a significant rival.

“It’s all lining up well, but obviously you’ve got Bernal as well, fresh off his Paris-Nice win. You know he’s an immense talent who will win the Giro one day. Whether it’s too soon to win this year – it might be a bit too much to expect three weeks out of him, but it’s going to line up to be a fantastic race.”

Dutchman Tom Dumoulin finished runner-up in both the Giro and the Tour last year. Speaking about his prospects, Wiggins said he was surprised to see him attempting both races again.

“He had a go at both last year, didn’t he? I was surprised to see him as good in the Tour last year as he was. You know, it was incredible.

“After two podium finishes in two Grand Tours last year, he’s an amazing athlete really and I’m surprised that he’s not gone and had one year where he’s just focused on the Tour – because he’s built for the Tour. And it’s amazing he does what he does at the Giro considering how tough it is.”