Bradley Wiggins to prioritise time trial at 2012 Olympics

Bradley Wiggins will be hoping for success during next year's Tour de France (GETTY IMAGES)

Bradley Wiggins hinted he would put his personal interest before Team GB's at the Olympics because the London 2012 scheduling may force him to conserve energy on the road race.

Wiggins, whose main goal for 2012 will be the Tour de France in which he has a chance of a podium finish at least, will target the individual time trial in London having clinched the silver medal in the discipline at this year's world championships.

The British Team Sky rider, however, produced an impressive effort on the Copenhagen circuit four days later to help Mark Cavendish sprint to victory in the road race.

That kind of feat will be unlikely in London, though, as the road race is scheduled before the individual time trial.

"I will approach the time trial with complete priority," Wiggins, who will be Cavendish's team mate in 2012 after the world champion joined Team Sky, was quoted as saying by The Telegraph on Thursday.

"It's unfortunate but that's the way it is - the Olympic formula is always arse-about-face with the road race first and time trial second.

"The coaches will define what job they want me to do in the road race on the day but it will be with the time trial as my priority in mind three days later. I will do that role 100 per cent whatever it is. I honestly don't know what that role is at the moment.

Wiggins, a three-times Olympic champion on the track, also said he would be available for track events should Team GB request his help.

Wiggins and Cavendish, who will have very different goals on the Tour in July, are not scheduled to race together before cycling's showpiece event.

Reuters