Wiggins hints at move away from Garmin

BRADLEY Wiggins has dropped the strongest hit yet he is set to leave Garmin-Slipstream at the end of the season.

 ON THE MOVE: Bradley Wiggins drops hint he is on the move from Garmin-Slipstream

The triple Olympic track champion claimed the best road result of his career in July, finishing fourth in the Tour de France.

And the 29-year old looked set for more glory at the Road World Championships in Mendrisio, Switzerland until a mechanical fault denied him a time trial bronze.

But with new British-based road team Sky linked with his signature and Wiggins' sights firmly set on scaling the podium at the Tour, the Brit admitted he may need to change jerseys for next season.

"I've had a good time this year at Garmin but times have changed," said Wiggins.

"The Tour changed everything for me really - no-one would have imagined I'd finish fourth this year and I believe I can get on the podium next year.

"But it's a bit like trying to win the Champions League - if you're going to win it you go to Man Utd and I'm probably playing at Wigan at the moment so I need to make that step up to do it.

"Next year I'll be stronger and have more self-belief and confidence. You don't go in there to finish third - you always set off to win the race and that's how we'll be taking it on next year."

After Wiggins' unexpected success this year, there was speculation the Brit would sacrifice the defence of his Olympic individual pursuit gold from Athens and Beijing in order to focus 100 per cent on the road.

And although he was adamant his focus would remain on the Tour for the next few years, Wiggins insisted winning his fourth Olympic gold in front of a home crowd would be the perfect end to his distinguished career.

"I think I will be back there at London defending my title," said Wiggins.

"It would certainly a nice way to end this career of mine if I do end it there - which I probably will.

"It's quite far away to think about it but in the back of my mind London is always there and I'd love to be going for number three in the individual.

"There are rising stars there like Geraint Thomas setting the bar high now and it would be a good challenge - I'd love to be there on the start line."