Wiggins: I Can Start To Dream Of Victory

An emotional Bradley Wiggins is finally allowing himself to dream of a history-making victory in this year's Tour de France.

The Team Sky rider is now just 72 hours from becoming the first ever Brit to win the race.

He consolidated his lead after the final mountain stage - the 89 miles through the Pyrenees from Bagneres-de-Luchon to Peyragudes.

He finished Stage 17 in third place, extending his lead by 18 seconds over his nearest rival Vincenzo Nibali.

Wiggins allowed himself a little smile as he crossed the line with teammate Chris Froome, his faithful lieutenant on the punishing climbs.

The triple Olympic champion said: "At that point, the first time in this whole Tour since I've led this race, I thought 'maybe I've just won the Tour'.

"It was an incredible feeling. It really was."

He was also full of praise for Froome, whose work has helped put Wiggins on the cusp of victory.

"He has been absolutely solid the whole Tour," said Wiggins.

"It doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out you'd rather have him in your camp than someone else's. He's an incredible climber.

"He can win the Tour one day."

The final hurdle for Wiggins will be Saturday's time trial.

But as the race against the clock is his strongest discipline he must be quietly confident of confirming his place in history.