Wiggins has faith in team-mate Froome

Bradley Wiggins has admitted Team Sky colleague Chris Froome would be his biggest rival for Tour de France glory — if the Britons were on rival teams.

After an eighth day in the race leader’s yellow jersey was successfully negotiated, Wiggins faces five more to determine if he can become the first British winner of the Tour, in the 99th edition of the race.

Following the 158.5-kilometre 15th stage from Samatan to Pau yesterday, won by Pierrick Fedrigo (FDJ-Bigmat), Froome was two minutes five seconds behind, with Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas-Cannondale) 2:23 adrift in third and Cadel Evans (BMC Racing) 3:19 behind in fourth, with Ireland’s Nicolas Roche back in 13th overall, some 10 minutes behind Wiggins.