Wiggins rules out title defence as he seeks Tour of Italy title
Bradley Wiggins has spelt out his objectives for this season by targeting the Tour of Italy rather than the Tour de France.
Wiggins, 32, became the first Britain to win the marquee event on the cycling calendar last year but feels the hilly course does not suit him this time round.
Wiggins gave a preview of how he sees his year panning out for Team Sky after filling a lowly 74th in the Tour of Oman on Saturday behind teammate and winner Chris Froome.
Explaining his decision to target the Giro Wiggins, who is expected to play a supporting role to help 2012 Tour runner-up Froome win the cycling blue riband this year, said: “I just wanted a new set of challenges.
“It took a long time for the motivation to come back.
“After the Olympics there was a long period when I thought, ‘what the hell am I gonna do next this year’, because I put so much in 18 months for that Tour project.
“I knew I wanted to go back and compete at the high level again, I didn’t want to retire.
“I had to find something that would inspire me to go and train, and for me the Giro was something else I really would love to try and win.
“So, for me, it was just about having a different set of challenges”.
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