Bradley Wiggins has done something unbelievable by winning the Tour de France, but I know he will be the first to recognise that he would not have been able to achieve his victory without a terrific team behind him.

Part of me wishes I had been there helping him, but I've got plenty more Tour years left in me and the London Olympics will only come once in my lifetime. Going for a second gold on the track was what I wanted to do.

I sent Mark Cavendish and Chris Froome a few texts of congratulations during the race and also texted Brad. I didn't get one back from him, though. He is not the best with a phone.

The Team Sky boys have had many training camps over the last year and have become a close-knit team. That has certainly helped them win the Tour.

Read the rest of this entry

I am often asked how cyclists deal with riding in the mountains. So as the Tour de France heads towards the Alps, here goes.

To be honest, mountain climbs can be grim, especially if, like me, you are coming from the track - when you are a bit heavier than you would be when on the road. You are carrying a bit of extra muscle or a bit of fat.

When I'm preparing for the track I don't do any climbing during the year. I am either flat out on the track or riding fairly easy, so I never really touch my threshold power, which is what you climb at. When I'm not on the track, climbing is a lot more enjoyable. For a start I'm lighter, but I'll also will be more ready for them.

Getting into mountain-climbing shape is not nice. It takes a lot of hard training up and down mountains, but when you start to feel strong and are riding well, there's no better feeling.

Read the rest of this entry

There were no surprises in the nine-man squad named by Team Sky for the Tour de France.

Team leader Bradley Wiggins is in the form of his life and he will have fellow Brit Chris Froome helping him in the mountains. Froome was amazing at the Vuelta a Espana last year when he finished second and he is coming back into that sort of form.

Michael Rogers and Richie Porte are the other main guys for the climbs while Kanstantsin Siutsou is an amazing domestique who will ride all day, carrying bottles and food.

Mark Cavendish is going to want some sort of help in trying to defend the green jersey. Edvald Boasson Hagen will probably ride to look after him at the finish and Bernie Eisel will be with him for the entire three weeks. But I can't see the team committing fully.

Read the rest of this entry