Wiggins' Dauphine time trial clothing dilemma

Bradley Wiggins in lead, Criterium du Dauphine 2012, stage three

Bradley Wiggins was forced to make a tough and immediate decision yesterday in the Critérium du Dauphiné: size small or large?

"I haven't tried it," Wiggins said of the official race leader's skinsuit, "I just had an argument with the guy outside because he asked me if I wanted a size M or S."

Wiggins warmed down on his turbo trainer alone after yesterday's stage. His team-mates were at the bus on theirs, but he used his in a space team Sky set up behind the winner's podium. After the podium presentation for the yellow jersey and before heading into the race leader's press conference, he had to decide.

Le Coq Sportif sponsors the race leader's kit, which differs from Sky's usual Adidas kit. The unfamiliarity may provide for an uncomfortable 53.5-kilometre ride today from Villié-Morgon to Bourg-en-Bresse.

"I said, 'Can I take both, and try each one on, in case one...' He said, 'You can't do that.' I said, 'Well, I'll pay for the other one. How much is it? How much do you want? Can I have both skin suits just in case one don't fit me?!' He said no, so I had to choose M. We might have to get an old woman out to sew a little bit off the back or something."

He paused and added with a laugh: "There's a crisis in France".

The fit could be critical as Wiggins only leads Cadel Evans (BMC Racing) by one second. Tony Martin (Omega Pharma-QuickStep), who holds the World time trial title, sits only four seconds behind.

Wiggins believes the stage is just as important, if not more important than the big mountain stages this weekend.

"It's important because it's 53K and it's very rare that you get a 53K time trial. I think it's going to sort the men out from the boys tomorrow. I've got a good appetite for time trials. It's ideal for me," Wiggins said.

"I'd certainly rather have the time trial than not have it, so it's definitely the most important stage of the week. Other than the Joux-Plane stage [on Saturday], which will probably decide the race. But the time gaps could be more than the stage to Joux-Plane. So, it's very important."

Critérium du Dauphiné 2012: Latest news

Live text coverage: Criterium du Dauphine stage four time trial

Bruyneel disappointed with RadioShack's lack of results

Wiggins on Dauphine: 'I've come here to race'

Wiggins happy with second in Dauphiné prologue

Critérium du Dauphiné 2012: The Big Preview - includes team list, TV guide, recent winners and more

Wiggins back to defend Critérium du Dauphiné title

Critérium du Dauphiné 2012: Stage reports

Stage three: Boasson Hagen blasts to stage win

Stage two: Moreno wins second stage in Dauphiné hill-top sprint

Stage one: Evans wins as Wiggins takes lead

Prologue: Wiggins second behind Durbridge

Critérium du Dauphiné 2012: Photo galleries

Stage three photo gallery

Stage two photo gallery

Stage one photo gallery

Prologue photo gallery

 

Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Founded in 1891, Cycling Weekly and its team of expert journalists brings cyclists in-depth reviews, extensive coverage of both professional and domestic racing, as well as fitness advice and 'brew a cuppa and put your feet up' features. Cycling Weekly serves its audience across a range of platforms, from good old-fashioned print to online journalism, and video.