Cycling: Bradley Wiggins to take back seat with Chris Froome set for Tour de France leadership

Chris Froome endured a tough day in the Tour of Spain yesterday (Getty Images)

British Cycling director Dave Brailsford has warned that a brain drain from the governing body is "inevitable" after its stunning success at the London Olympics and confirmed that Chris Froome is set to lead Team Sky's bid for next year's Tour de France.

Froome had to play second fiddle in support of victorious team-mate Bradley Wiggins during this year's tour but Brailsford admitted 2013 would be different. He said: "It does look as though the plan going into next year, which has still not completely been signed off, is that the Tour of Italy would be a very good target for Bradley and leave Froomy then to focus on the Tour de France."