While Sir Bradley Wiggins plans to use the RideLondon-Surrey Classic as a way to get back to race fitness he sees it as a great opportunity for his young teammates to gain experience.
The former Team Sky rider will lead his eponymous team at the race this Sunday on a course that replicates much of the London 2012 Olympic road race.
While the road race was not a happy occasion for the Great Britain team, Wiggins has fond memories of the time trial, where he picked up his fourth career Olympic gold medal.
“For me, [RideLondon is] like a reminder of everything that’s great about our sport," he said. "I’m looking forward to just being a part of it and to getting my fitness back up. I’ve had some time off after breaking the One Hour Record and my main focus now is the Rio Olympics in 2016.
“Prudential RideLondon is a big moment for Team Wiggins. We’ve got some serious young talent in the shape of Owain Doull and Chris Lawless. Chris is just 19, and finished sixth last week [at the GP Cerami] riding against Philippe Gilbert and Tom Boonen. It was a fantastic achievement. He was the only British rider to finish the race and is in great form, so keep an eye on him.”
Wiggins will be joined on the start line by former Team Sky teammate Mark Cavendish just a week after finishing a punishing Tour de France. Four-stage winner Andre Greipel was also scheduled to start but has now withdrawn, but defending champion Adam Blythe is likely to be present.
Watch Bradley Wiggins pass his minute man at the Hull RC time trial
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