Bradley Wiggins ended his 2007 season with tenth place in the men?s time trial at the world championships but the final moment of his season came the day after when it was formally announced that he will ride for T-Mobile in 2008.
Wiggins sat down with Cycling Weekly on Friday to talk about his move to the German team, his objectives in 2008 and how he is looking forward to riding with Mark Cavendish, starting with the Ghent Six in November (20-25).
?There's not many teams out there now that you want to be on, there's probably only T-Mobile and Slipstream that are paving the way in this new direction, and so I?m pleased to be joining T-Mobile,? Wiggins said, clearly in full agreement with T-Mobile strong stance against doping.
?They first approached me after I won the time trial in the Four Days of Dunkirk. Slipstream made me an offer, but I?d already made my mind up and signed a contract on the Saturday after the Tour de France.
?I decided to join T-Mobile because they?re are like CSC were two years ago. They?ve got a very strong team philosophy and a very strong group feeling. It?s not like it?s just a German team, it?s got a very international feel.?
Wiggins will take a break in October before beginning his track work in November and December. To be at his best for the Beijing Olympic, Wiggins will have a busy first part of the season before beginning specific track work in July.
?I?ll have a normal winter and do my usual training. My programme will include Paris-Nice, the Giro d?Italia and the Tour of Switzerland. I?ll be looking at doing well in prologue and time trials and generally racing hard,? he said.
?I?m really motivated to help ?Cav? when I can and more generally be part of the team that could win the Tour de France in a few years' time.?
?My 2007 road season is over and I probably wont ride the Rake hill climb, but I?ll be getting together with Cav to ride the Ghent six so that we get some experience together ready for the Madison event at Beijing. I think we?ll be interesting competition and good for British track fans who always go to Ghent.?
While the rest of the British team focused on the road races at the weekend, Wiggins headed home on Friday night, ready to enjoy his well deserved end of season holidays. When he next races on the road in 2008 it will be in the magenta t-Mobile colours.
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