Wiggins furious at doping questions
Wiggins (Team Sky) maintained an advantage of one minute 53 seconds over defending champion Cadel Evans (BMC Racing) following the 194.5-kilometre 10th stage from Macon to Bellegarde-sur-Valserine, won by France’s Thomas Voeckler (Europcar).
The 32-year-old Londoner exploded into an expletive-laden rant when questioned on Twitter speculation regarding drugs.
Questioned again about the spectre of doping in cycling – an issue relevant due to Remy Di Gregorio’s detention by French police on Tuesday and with the ongoing United States Anti-Doping Agency inquiry into the US Postal team – Wiggins explained his frustration at being shrouded by suspicion.
Wiggins, whose reply lasted more than two and a half minutes, said: “There’s one reason why I’m in this position and that’s because I’ve worked hard and I shouldn’t have to justify all that other stuff which we spoke about the other day to certain parts of the world.
“To me, it’s them pissing all over everything I’ve done, by just saying ‘oh yes, he’s cheating’ or whatever.
“I deserve every minute of what I’ve been through this last week or so, especially after sitting at home last year and watching it on the telly.”
Wiggins crashed out of the 2011 Tour with a broken collarbone, but won the Paris-Nice, Tour de Romandie and Criterium du Dauphine stage races this season.
He added: “It’s not like I’ve just come from nowhere.
“I’ve been three times Olympic champion on the track; people have to realise what kind of engine you need to win an Olympic gold medal as an individual pursuiter.
“I’ve been six times world champion, fourth in the Tour de France, third in the Vuelta last year.
“I’m tested by the UCI (International Cycling Union) God knows how many times a year, God knows how many times on this race and the Dauphine. Blood tested in the morning.
“What more can I do? Other than that? I don’t know.
“I’m only human at the end of the day. I’m not this robot.
“I’m just a kid from London who happened to be good at cycling, made it here. I am good at riding my bike and performing on my bike.
“I make mistakes in my life, I swear, I’m not this fantastic role model that everyone wants me to be.
“I don’t know what else I can do.”
After his lengthy reply, Wiggins said to the translator: “Did you get all that?”
Wiggins knows his lead will come under threat on a daily basis and that todya’s 148km 11th stage from Albertville to La Toussuire – featuring two hors categorie (beyond category) climbs and ending with an 18km category one ascent – is crucial.
Wiggins, who today rode with yellow handlebar tape to accompany the maillot jaune, added: “It’s the toughest day of the race, so it’s going to be a big day.”
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