Bradley Wiggins will defend his Tour of Britain title this September, leading Team Sky in his ‘home tour’ rather than travelling to Spain for the Vuelta a Espana.

Team Sky boss Dave Brailsford said on Sunday that Wiggins will ride the Tour of Britain (September 7-14) to hone his form ahead of his assault on the time trial world championship title at the end of September.

“He’ll go to an altitude camp, then do a couple of one-day races then ride Tour of Britain. Hopefully that will give him the right preparation for the World Championships,” Brailsford told the BBC.

Wiggins won the Tour of California this season, but controversially missed out on a ride in the 2014 Tour de France when it started in Yorkshire.

The Tour of Britain starts in Liverpool on Sunday, September 7, and concludes in London on Sunday, September 14.

Wiggins was a last-minute addition to Sky’s roster for the RideLondon-Surrey Classic on Sunday.