Ready to risk all on time trial: Bradley Wiggins (front)Bradley Wiggins will attempt to cut his Tour de France losses by riding conservatively in Thursday's final climb in the Pyrenees with the aim of rescuing a stage win in Saturday's time-trial among the Bordeaux vineyards.
The Team Sky rider currently lies in 21st place overall, with hope long since evaporated of emulating last year's astonishing fourth position. He is prepared to fall further in the ascent of the Col du Tourmalet in order to preserve his energy.
Wiggins said: 'I'm really looking forward to the time-trial now even if it means sacrificing 20th overall by not emptying myself on the Tourmalet.
'If I could maybe salvage a stage win, it would transform the whole perception of the race I've had.'
Even before they reach Paris, Team Sky had begun their investigation into Wiggins' struggles this year, especially when all statistical evidence suggested he was physically at his peak prior to the start in Rotterdam. Wiggins believes he may need to alter his training for next year after suffering in the last two miles of climbs in both the Alps and the Pyrenees.
He added: 'It's certainly not an excuse as to why I haven't performed well on this tour - and we're starting to look into the reasons why now - but the altitude has been a limiting factor. We'll have to look at that for next year.'
Thursday's stage from Pau ought to make for compulsive viewing with Andy Schleck throwing down a final mountain challenge to race leader Alberto Contador.
An estimated half a million spectators will line the Tourmalet, including French president Nicolas Sarkozy.
source: dailymail
