Wiggo on the verge of history

It's been a miserable year for British sport.  Or has it?  Ok, I know England were dumped out of the Euros on penalties again and Andy Murray fell at the last hurdle at Wimbledon, but there is much to be proud of this year.  Chelsea won the Champions League.  England's cricketers have dominated everyone they've faced.  And now Bradley Wiggins is close to becoming the first Briton to ever win the Tour de France.

Wiggins hasn't done it yet and I will feel partly responsible if he doesn't after glowing his praises here.  But his riding in the 99th Le Tour has been nothing short of inspirational.  Assured in the early mountain stages, and complete dominant over the time-trial, Team Sky's leader has already built up a lead of nearly two minutes on reigning champion Cadel Evans.

Two minutes doesn't sound like much, but in cycling terms that's a huge wide chasm of tarmac.  Realistically, Evans would need to take five minutes out of Wiggins in the mountains to stand any chance of retaining the yellow jersey for a second year.

I'm tempting fate here but I predict if Wiggins stays upright and doesn't suffer the misfortune of last year, he will win the Tour.  Many argue he doesn't face the stiff competition of previous years, and whilst Andy Schleck and Alberto Contador are missing, the fact remains that victory would be history.