Wiggins: Froome releasing data is a small step, but it won't change anything

"It's what people have called for and Chris and has done it, so hats off to him," says Bradley Wiggins

Photo: Graham Watson

Sir Bradley Wiggins admires Chris Froome's decision to release data from his independent testing, but the 2012 Tour de France winner doesn't expect the release to change much.

Froome's data will be published on the Esquire website at 00.01 on December 4, with further details appearing in the print edition on Monday.

"It's what people have called for and Chris has done it, so hats off to him," Wiggins told BBC Radio 5 live.

"I'm sure it is not something for them to live and die by, or if it will change anything. It is a small step maybe."

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Froome's rivals will be paying keen attention to the data released on Friday, although Astana trainer Paolo Slongo does not believe the likes of Vincenzo Nibali will be able to gain much benefit from knowing the numbers.

>>> Brailsford: Froome’s test results will not silence all the doubters

The Sky rider underwent independent testing at the GlaxoSmithKline Human Performance Laboratory after the Tour de France after the legitimacy of his performance was questioned.

Wiggins experienced a similar line of questioning from journalists when he dominated the 2012 Tour, with Froome as his helper, and the UCI Hour Record holder says he knows what Froome is going through.

"I think to be under that amount of scrutiny for three weeks and do what he did was admirable. It shows his physical and mental strength to be able to deal with that," said Wiggins.

"Being spat at - sport is hard enough as it is without facing what he had to face."

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Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.