BESANCON, France, (Reuters) – Bradley Wiggins rode “”probably my best ever time trial” in the ninth stage of the Tour de France yesterday but said it was too early to consider the race as won.
On the 41.5-kms course from Arc et Senans, the Briton outclassed the Tour peloton with a time of 51 minutes and 24 seconds to take a potentially decisive lead over the other favourites.
He leads second-placed defending champion Cadel Evans by 1:53 before today’s rest day.
It was Wiggins’ maiden Tour stage victory and came two days after he seized his first yellow jersey.
The near perfect day for Team Sky was crowned by a remarkable one-two as Chris Froome finished 35 seconds behind his compatriot.
Olympic champion and prologue winner Fabian Cancellara had to be content with the last podium spot, 57 seconds off the pace.
