0 Bradley Wiggins: The Winner of the 2012 Tour De France?

Based on early form, the cycling world is afire with talk of Bradly Wiggins and his chances of finally winning the Tour De France in 2012.  More to the point, there is talk of whether anyone has a chance of taking the race away from the apparently bulletproof Team Sky, with Cadel Evans seemingly being the only likely fly in the ointment.

With a deep list of in-form riders including Mark Cavendish, Edvald Boassen Hagen, Geraint Thomas and Richie Porte, Team Sky appear to be the dominant "Superteam" of the moment.  But it's Wiggins who is carrying the weight of expectation going into the Tour De France.  A high altitude training camp in Tenerife has whipped the Sky riders into exceptional form, that is obviously superior to the other big teams.  Richie Porte in particular has impressed at this year's Criterium Du Dauphine with his relentless turns of pace on the front of the peloton, destroying some of the finest riders in the sport.

Cadel Evans seems to be in great form this year, and is probably the more complete, rounded General Classification rider when compared with the Sky leader.  He is renowned as one of the best climbers in the world,  handles a bike better than anyone else in the peloton and can also time trial up there with the very best.  

Whilst Evans is riding strong at the moment, it is his team that is the main concern at the moment though.  Thor Hushovd and Phil Gilbert joined BMC Racing amidst much fanfare over the winter months, and on paper the team looks strong.  In reality however, they are a paper tiger.  Hushovd won't ride the tour this year, Gilbert is not even close to the rider who swept all comers in the 2011 Classics, and the rest of the team seem to evaporate when Evans is most in need. Tejay Van Garderen, Taylor Phinney and BMC's other young stars desperately need to stand up and be counted when Evans needs their strength.

Whilst it's probably too early for Wiggins to start engraving his name on the winner's trophy, BMC will have to dig a lot deeper into their roster if Evans is going to have the support he needs to defend his title. It's a three week race, but Evans must be seriously wondering what he will need to pull out of his bag of tricks if he wants to stand on top of the podium in Paris this year.