Sir Dave Brailsford says Sir Bradley Wiggins will be difficult to replace at Team Sky
Last Updated: 14/01/15 10:30am
Team Sky principal Sir Dave Brailsford admits it will be difficult to replace Sir Bradley Wiggins when the former Tour de France winner leaves the squad in April.
Wiggins will begin work with his own cycling team in a bid to secure a fifth Olympic gold on the track at Rio 2016.
The 34-year-old has been with Team Sky since their launch five years ago and he secured their first Tour victory two years later.
"As soon as you think about trying to replace someone like Bradley, you back yourself into a corner," Brailsford said. "His contribution to this team has been phenomenal, absolutely remarkable.
If he could finish his story where he started out with a medal round his neck in Rio, that would be one hell of an ending.
Sir Dave Brailsford
"We set out to win the Tour with a clean, British rider and that's what he did. He's an incredible athlete, he's one of the most versatile athletes the sport has ever seen - he can ride on the track, win time trials, win mountain stages.
"That's why we all believe he can be a great athlete even as he comes to the end of his career."
Hour ambition
Wiggins has also set his sights on breaking the hour record, but not before trying to seal a first spring classic victory at Paris-Roubaix on April 12.
He finished ninth last year and Brailsford believes a win on the cobbles would complete an already superb career record.
"If he can win the Paris-Roubaix he'll have one of the most awesome records any rider in this sport has ever had," Brailsford said. "He wants to the do the hour record and then finish up at the track in the Olympics.
"If he could finish his story where he started out with a medal round his neck in Rio, that would be one hell of an ending.
"And knowing Bradley he'll want to find the next Bradley as well."He was given an opportunity and he'll want to give someone else that opportunity, which is a great thing."
