Compiègne, France--Bradley Wiggins is ready to give his all in the Paris-Roubaix on Sunday in what will be his last road race for Team Sky.
The reigning Olympic and world time-trial champion, former Tour de France winner and four-time Olympic gold medallist, has set this race as his final objective before a return to the track and a tilt at a fifth Games crown in Rio next year.
So far in his career, Wiggins has almost always achieved everything he's set out to do.
However, triumphing at the 'Hell of the North' at the end of 253km, including 52.7km of perilous cobbles, is not something one can take for granted, according to Wiggins.
"My preparation for this race has been completely different from previous goals," he said.
"Paris-Roubaix is not as quantifiable. You can be in the best-possible shape but still finish last in Roubaix.
"If you have a crash or a puncture at the wrong time, it's over. It's not like the lottery, because you have to make your own luck and get yourself in a position where you don't crash, but that good fortune does play a major part.
"If it was a simple time-trial, I think I could win it, but it's not."
Having won four Olympic titles (three on the track and one time-trial), seven world titles (six on the track, one TT) and the 2012 Tour de France, as well as major stage races such as Criterium du Dauphine (2011 and 2012), Paris-Nice (2012), Tour de Romandie (2012) and even the Tour of Britain (2013), claiming victory here would be the icing on the cake of an amazing career.
And Wiggins says he is fully prepared, despite his crash at the Tour of Flanders last week.
AFP
