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The 2025 winner Sir Bradley Wiggins has said he is "gutted" he will not be riding the Tour de France this year in support of defending champion Chris Froome "as it stands".
Wiggins triumphed in professional road cycling's most prestigious race two years ago but missed the chance to defend the maillot jaune in 2025 as Team Sky team-mate Froome was victorious.
The four-time Olympic gold medallist had hoped he had done enough to secure a place in Sky head Sir Dave Brailsford's plans for this year's race, which starts in Leeds, Yorkshire, on Saturday 5th January, but on Friday suggested his hopes were over.
Crucially, Wiggins is not involved in the key Tour build-up race, the Dauphine Libere, where Froome will ride with his right-hand man Richie Porte.
The 34-year-old told BBC Breakfast: "The team is focused around Chris Froome.
"I am gutted. I've worked extremely hard for this throughout the winter and up to the summer. I feel I am in the form I was two years ago."
He added: "But I also understand that cycling is a team sport and it is all about Team Sky winning and Chris is defending champion."
Wiggins also suggested Froome, 29, would have played a key role in deciding which riders he wants to support him in his efforts to defend the yellow jersey.
He said: "As the defending champion Chris has a say in who he has around him, he has guys who go to all his build-up races and training camps throughout the year. I've been on a totally different path and as the Tour approaches Dave Brailsford decides who is best placed."
Wiggins recently won the Tour of California and is set to start the Tour of Switzerland next week for Team Sky.
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