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Bradley vows to bounce back
By Ziad Chaudry
BRADLEY Wiggins is promising a much improved Tour de France in 2011 after he openly admitted to having a bad race this year.
The 30-year-old Team Sky rider from Maida Vale could not repeat his tremendous fourth place feat from last year and finished the enduring 3,642 km route in a disappointing 24th place.
Wiggins was one place behind seven-time winner Lance Armstrong, while Astana's Alberto Contador continued this summer's Spanish sporting success by retaining his title, beating nearest challenger Andy Schleck of Luxembourg by 39 seconds.
Wiggins had been tagged as a genuine contender following his achievement of 12 months ago - but that was soon forgotten from the moment he lost track with the leaders during the first week of the Tour.
Then came the highly demanding stages in the Alps and the Pyrenees - all probably too much for the three-time Olympic gold medallist to mount a serious challenge for the prestigious yellow jersey.
But, despite sub-standard performances, Wiggins was satisfied with his time trial display on the penultimate 19th stage - the 52km Bordeaux to Pauillac route where he beat off the turbulent weather conditions to finish in ninth place.
"I'm delighted to finish the Tour on a high," Wiggins said after the stage. "I had a cracking ride.
"It's still a big learning thing. This was my second album and obviously the first album was brilliant - but the third album is always a lot better than the second one, so I will be back next year."
There was British success on the final day when Team HTC-Columbia sprint specialist Mark Cavendish was first to finish on the famous Paris Champs Elysées to complete five stage victories.
Wiggins also confirmed after Sunday's finish that he would not ride for England at the Commonwealth Games because he needs a proper break. The Tour of Britain, in September, will be his last race of the season.
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