After the anti-climactic Tour de France the previous year, Wiggins bounced back and ensured his build-up to the 2011 race was his best to date.

After success against the clock in the early-season races, Wiggins showed why he was considered Britain’s best hope for a Grand Tour win by winning the Criterium du Dauphine.

After taking the yellow jersey on stage three, having earlier finished second in the individual time trial, Wiggins held it to the end of the prestigious pre-Tour race to record what was then his biggest stage race success.

And just for good measure, Team Sky delivered the perfect tactical victory at the British National Championships to ensure their leader would start the Tour de France in the blue, white and red jersey of British road race champion.