Wiggins ready to win Giro team time trial

Bradley Wiggins Danny Pate Tour of the Med 2009

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.?

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

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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

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Bennati to take on Cavendish in Giro 2009 sprints

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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

From rule Britannia to cruel Britannia

Giro 2008: The final word on this year's race

Brits at the 2008 Giro: photo special

Five days to go, what's in store?

Giro d'Italia 2008: Rest day review (May 27)

Giro d'Italia 2008: Rest day review (May 19)

Giro d'Italia 2008 preview

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