Wiggins eyes Paris-Nice stage triumph

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Bradley Wiggins already has his eyes on Sunday’s final time trial as he aims to win the Paris-Nice stage race, which would be a major step in his quest to shine at this summer’s Tour de France.

Wiggins, who grew up in Maida Vale, took the overall lead in the week-long race on Monday’s second stage and limited his losses on Thursday and Friday to go into the weekend six seconds ahead of Dutch rider Lieuwe Westra, and a further four over dangerous American Levi Leipheimer.

Team Sky must protect their leader through a 219.5km stage into Nice on Saturday before allowing him the chance to shine on a short time trial up the Col d’Eze the following afternoon.

“I’ve just got to concentrate on myself on Col d’Eze, if we get through tomorrow in the same position,” he said.

“My biggest adversary that day is going to be myself and how I prepare and how I get into my zone. Other than that, I won’t think about anything else.”

Team Sky manager Sean Yates said after Friday’s stage: “Tomorrow it’s more of the same – protect Bradley as much as we can and protect the jersey.”

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