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Former Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins expects to miss this year's race, complaining that his team are focusing on his bitter rival and defending champion Chris Froome's title defence.
Wiggins, who became the first British rider to win cycling's showpiece two years ago, was not selected to compete with Froome at the Criterium du Dauphine, the tune-up event for the Tour.
It was a clear indication that he was unlikely to line up in Yorkshire on July 5 for the Tour's start in England.
Speaking to the BBC yesterday, the 34-year-old multiple Olympic gold medallist voiced his disappointment at being left out by Team Sky despite a recent surge in form and his victory at the Tour of California last month.
"I am gutted," Wiggins said. "I feel I am in the form I was two years ago. Now if I want to go to the Tour again, the reality is that I might have to go elsewhere. I also understand that cycling is a team sport and it is all about Team Sky winning and Chris is defending champion."
Wiggins' contract with Sky expires at the end of the season.
Although Wiggins told French paper L'Equipe there is still a chance he may make the Tour if Froome picks up an injury at the Dauphine from June 8-15, it's unlikely Wiggins will be riding in France this summer.
"Having missed the Tour again this year, I wouldn't like to leave it there," said the former pursuit specialist, who could now turn his focus to competing on the track at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in August. "I'd love to go back at some point, so there is the chance I would go back to the Tour next year."
Froome will warm up for the Tour at the Dauphine, while Wiggins is still expected to compete at the Tour de Suisse.
Froome, who also won the week-long Dauphine in France last year as part of his dominant season, will have a team of strong climbers in the mountainous event, including last year's Dauphine runner-up Richie Porte, Vasil Kiryienka, David Lopez, Mikel Nieve, Danny Pate, Geraint Thomas and Xabier Zandio.
Froome and Wiggins have endured a frosty relationship over the past few years. Tensions first arose during the 2012 Tour, with Froome sometimes looking the stronger rider in the climbs but being ordered by the team to support Wiggins rather than attack.
Last year, after suggesting he would seek to defend his title and upset Sky's plans of making Froome their leader, Wiggins missed the race because of health issues and Froome easily won the 100th edition of the race.
Froome recently said his relationship with Wiggins was back to normal, and Wiggins was adamant he would support his younger teammate if he was selected.


Bradley Wiggins admits he is likely to miss Tour de France due to internal Team Sky rivalry with Chris Froome

Wiggins (centre) and Chris Froome (left) on the 2012 Tour de France podium in Paris, where they came first and second in the general classification for Team Sky. Relations between them have soured somewhat since then. Photo: AP

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Bradley Wiggins admits he is likely to miss Tour de France due to internal Team Sky rivalry with Chris Froome

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}2012 winner says he may 'have to go elsewhere' if he wants to ride the grand boucle again

2012 winner says he may 'have to go elsewhere' if he wants to ride the grand boucle again