Team Sky rider Sir Bradley Wiggins revealed he could not watch team-mate Chris Froome win Tour De France because it was too painful knowing he was unable to defend his title.
Wiggins was hoping for back-to-back Tour victories after his famous win in 2012, a triumph that was followed up by a gold medal in the time trial at the London Olympics.
However, the 33-year-old – who had targeted a Giro d’Italia and Tour De France double – was forced to pull out of this year’s event due to a combination of illness and injury that also scuppered his Giro chances.
Froome was handed the chance to lead the team in Wiggo’s absence and he made full use of the opportunity by running away with the victory by more than four minutes and claiming the yellow jersey.
The Belgium-born rider has made his return to racing in the Tour of Poland which started on Saturday, although he finished the first stage nine minutes and 13 seconds behind winner Diego Ulissi.
“I didn’t watch, I couldn’t watch. I would have loved to have been there,” said Wiggins. “I focused on the positives rather than sitting watching telly depressed.
“I watched the end of the first stage when I heard the bus knocked the finish down, but otherwise I just followed what the guys did from afar.”
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