Wiggins to support Froome at Tour de France

LONDON (AP) Bradley Wiggins says he will be a support rider at Team Sky and his role at this year's Tour de France will be helping teammate Chris Froome win a second straight title.

Wiggins won cycling's biggest race in 2012 but was unable to defend his title after pulling out because of injury.

Froome won the 2013 Tour and will be Team Sky's main hope this year.

In an interview in Thursday's edition of British newspaper The Independent, Wiggins says ''Froome's got the mantle (of leadership) now, which is good . There were a couple of times last year when Chris was really isolated and I want to be in a position that I can be there (in support) when that happens.''

The Tour takes place from July 5-27.