Bradley Wiggins competes during the Tour de France on Saturday. (AP-Yonhap News)
CHARTRES, France (AP) ― For Bradley Wiggins, the champagne on the Champs-Elysees is about to flow.
He all but locked up the Tour de France title with a tour-de-force performance to win the final time trial ― putting him on the cusp of becoming the first Briton to win cycling’s showpiece race.
Wiggins blew away the field in Saturday’s race against the clock in Stage 19, his second Tour victory this year in a time trial, his specialty.
“I really wanted to go out there and finish with a bang, and fortunately I was able to do that,” said Wiggins, noting he realized the breadth of emotion when he spotted his mechanic in tears.
Even before the Tour started, Wiggins was the favorite. The 32-year-old rider took the yellow jersey in Stage 7.
Then came questions about the unity of his Sky Team, pre-race preparations and his ability to get up mountains ― all of which he put to rest.
There was also the absence of two-time Tour champion and cycling superstar Alberto Contador, who is serving a doping ban.
That led many to wonder whether Wiggins was really the sport’s best.
koreaherald@heraldcorp.com
