Bradley Wiggins arrived in Venice with a short haircut, a clear sign he is focused, fit and out to do well in the Giro d?Italia, starting with Saturday?s opening team time trial.
His Garmin team are the big favourites after winning last year and the American team also held a special training camp in Gerona to perfect their technique.
"We only had three days. People make a lot of it. They think it?s illegal to train for things like this," Wiggins argued to Cycling Weekly.
?I think you can actually do too much training. We?ll pretty experienced at it. We know what we have to do. It just depends if we?ll be fast enough and what other teams do. On paper we should win it. As long as we beat Columbia we?ll be alright.?
WIGGO IN PINK
Wiggins could become the first British rider to ever pull on the pink jersey if he leads the Garmin team home. He knows it but would like to share his success with the whole team.
?I guess so. We haven?t got that far with it yet, which is a good thing. We?ll see what happens. It?d be fantastic but it always feels weird after a team time trial that someone has to wear the jersey because it?s such a collective thing. Whoever wears represents the team.?
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GREAT BRITISH GIRO WEEKEND
Wiggins could kick off a great weekend for British cycling at the Giro d?Italia. He could pull on the first pink jersey and then Mark Cavendish could take it if he wins the sprint at the end of the second stage to Trieste on Sunday.
?It?d be brilliant if he did,? Wiggins said sincerely.
?There are nine Brits and so it?s going to be a fantastic Giro. Someone?s got to win a stage somewhere other than Cav??
Wiggins also has his eye on a stage win.
?I?ll be thinking about the final time trial in Rome but I?d like to have a go somewhere else. I?ve really improved my climbing. I haven?t been prepared like this for a major Tour before. Now I give this the same kind of focus I gave the track.?
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Giro d'Italia 2009 links
News
Team time trial start times
Cycling Weekly's Giro d'Italia top ten prediction
Brits in Venice for Giro presentation
Armstrong overshadows overall favourites at Giro presentation
Armstrong confident of finding new sponsor for Astana
Armstrong working to save Astana team
Wiggins in top form for Giro
Garmin Slipstream kitted out for Giro opener
Dan Lloyd gets late Giro call-up
Armstrong's special Giro bikes unveiled
Daniel Lloyd overlooked for Giro ride
Cummings and Thomas not selected for Giro d'Italia
Cavendish tests Giro form at Tour of Romandie
David Millar confirms he's riding in 2009 Giro
Bennati to take on Cavendish in Giro 2009 sprints
2009 Giro d'Italia to start in Venice
Evans and Silence-Lotto disagree on Giro 2009 ride
Armstrong to ride 2009 Giro
Tuttosport reveals 2009 Giro d'Italia route
Dolce & Gabbana design new Giro jersey
2009 Giro d'Italia guide and features
Giro d'Italia 2009: The Big Preview
CW's Giro top ten prediction
Brits in the Giro 2009
Brits in the Tours: From Robinson to Cavendish
CW Classic: the 1987 Giro d'Italia
2008 Giro d'Italia archive
Giro d'Italia 2008 coverage index - race reports, photos, results
Founded in 1891, Cycling Weekly and its team of expert journalists brings cyclists in-depth reviews, extensive coverage of both professional and domestic racing, as well as fitness advice and 'brew a cuppa and put your feet up' features. Cycling Weekly serves its audience across a range of platforms, from good old-fashioned print to online journalism, and video.
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