“Wiggo” ruled out of Tour de France

Britain’s first winner of Le Tour de France , Sir Bradley Wiggins, has been ruled out of Team Sky for next month’s competition.

Chris Froome will lead Team Sky’s nine man squad instead, while two of last year’s key figures, Peter Kennaugh and Ian Stannard were also left out due to illness and broken vertebrae respectively.

Sir Dave Brailsford, Team Sky’s principal said: “It was a very tough decision. Bradley’s been a great champion. There is no doubt in my mind that he is the leader of this team for this year’s race and everything will be going in to support Chris to try and win the yellow jersey again.”

The professional road and track racing cyclist reclaimed the British national time trial title in Newport this week, after a three year reign from his Team Sky team mate Alex Dowsett.

The 34-year-old Olympic time trail champion said in early June that he did not expect to be at the tour, and has since turned his attention on next month’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow this July.