“Whether people get on or they don't get on in walks of life, it shouldn't stop you going out and doing the job you do”
Although relations between the two of them have been and remain tense, Bradley Wiggins has said that he is willing to ride in a supporting role for his compatriot and Sky team-mate Chris Froome in the upcoming world road race championships.
Froome targeted the race after winning the Tour de France and has been working towards that, although his form has been below that level in recent weeks. Still, he believes that he can be in the necessary shape to fight for gold.
Wiggins is targeting the same colour medal in the time trial and is unlikely to be in the necessary shape to battle for victory on the hilly road race course, not least because he is heavier than when he won the Tour in 2012, but he is prepared to have a team role.
“I think Chris made his intentions clear after the Tour that he wants to win the world road race, so I put my hand up to be a part of that team and I will assist him,” he told Sky Sports news. “I was selected last week for that.
“Cycling is a team sport and the opportunity to ride for your country in good form. I was at the world championships last year with no form and it is not a nice place to be. I always relish the opportunity to be able to ride the worlds for Great Britain, whoever the leader is and do a job that is asked of me.”
In 2011 Wiggins helped Mark Cavendish in the road race in Copenhagen and enjoyed the experience. He said that motivates him to do the same again.
“My best memories are from two years ago, assisting Cav when he won the worlds. So if that is the case and Chris manages to win it and I can play a part in it, then that is a very satisfying thing,” he said.
However the commitment does not signify that things have becoming warm between the two; Wiggins, who felt slighted when Froome attacked him while he was leading the 2012 Tour de France – and even considered quitting the race, according to the former team director Sean Yates – states that he has not sat down with the younger rider to sort things out.
“No, no there hasn't,” he said, when asked if any rapprochement had occurred. “We haven't raced since the Tour of Oman together this year.
“It is not for me to decide. At the end of the day it is just sport, it is about going out there and doing a job professionally. It is as simple as that.
“Whether people get on or they don't get on in walks of life, it shouldn't stop you going out and doing the job you do.”
Wiggins is regarded as one of the favourites for the time trial, although former world champion Fabian Cancellara and current title holder Tony Martin will likely be higher on the bookies’ list.
That will suit Wiggins fine, as he will continue to build up in the way he feels is best for him. That includes riding the Tour of Britain, where he will try to win the time trial today and also push for the overall.