In the final year of his contract with Team Sky, there has been no shortage of rumours linking Wiggins with a move away – though, as with the same stories that fly around football every summer, they should be taken with a pinch of salt.

But, the fact remains, Wiggins – on ability alone – could walk into most WorldTour teams and earn a shot at next year’s Tour de France.

He could still have a Grand Tour up his sleeve this season, with Team Sky’s ambitions for the Vuelta a Espana yet to be made clear.

Having not competed at the Tour since his 2012 triumph, however, Wiggins would be a welcome sight on the Utrecht start line in 2015 if he was afforded the opportunity.

But where could he go? Orica-GreenEDGE have made no secret of their desire to sign a Grand Tour contender, having spent time in the leaders’ jerseys at both the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia in the last 12 months.

Shayne Bannan, the team’s general manager, played down talk of a move for Wiggins but he may think again now – could there be a better mentor for Simon and Adam Yates than a British hero, for a start, particularly with Wiggins having worked with DS Matt White already?

BMC Racing could also be looking for a new leader, with Cadel Evans missing out at the Giro d’Italia, though the team has the likes of Tejay van Garderen to turn to from within their ranks.

The cost of Wiggins could inhibit some teams, but Omega Pharma-Quickstep are certainly not short of the cash and outrageously talented riders, though the last time Mark Cavendish and Wiggins tried to jointly lead a team it caused problems of course.

IAM Cycling, however, are another team with deep pockets and if they are serious about joining the elite, perhaps they too could be potential suitors for 2015.