Billed as Team Sky’s big hope for the Grand Tours, the British WorldTour team had enjoyed a good start to the season, which had included Wiggins wearing the maglia rosa at the Giro d’Italia, courtesy of victory in the prologue – Sky’s first ever Grand Tour. His performances in the Giro raised expectations further as he remained strong over the earlier part of the stages and though he faded in the last week, it had certainly been an encouraging sign.

But all was not good behind the scenes, with former team-mate Michael Barry later writing of how Wiggins had appeared disinterested and off the pace as they headed for a training camp between the two races. And so it proved when the Tour rolled around. Without the legs, his desire appeared to drop and Wiggins was reduced to also-ran.