Wiggins confirms Tour of Poland campaign

Bradley Wiggins: photo wikicommons

Wiggins, who had to withdraw from the Giro d'Italia in May and missed the Tour de France this year due to injury and illness, will be heading the Sky Pro Cycling team alongside fellow Brits Luke Rowe and Ben Swift, Colombians Sergio Henao and Rigoberto Uran, and American Danny Pate.

Sky boss Dave Brailsford has said that Wiggins, a multiple Olympic medal winner, is “very, very motivated” to do well in Poland.

Wiggins' main rival for the week-long stage race will be 2013 Giro d'Italia winner Vincenzo Nibali, who will lead the Astana team.

The Tour de Poland - or Tour de Pologne as it is also known - will be a unique race this year as the first two stages will be held in northern Italy, signalling a major breakthrough in the promotion of the race abroad.

The Tour de France has regularly started in other countries for many years.

The first stage on Saturday will be between Rovereto and Madonna di Campiglio and the second between Marilleva Val di Sole and Passo Pordoi Val di Fassa, before the riders are transferred by plane to Krakow for the third stage to Rzeszow.

The final stage will also end in Krakow – after stages in the mountains – on 3 July. (pg)