Bradley Wiggins in winter training - in pictures

It does not even register with a maverick such as Bradley Wiggins that today, 27 January, means it is exactly six months to the start of the Olympic Games. Wiggins is locked inside deeper themes than date-checking. The 31-year-old will attempt something more remarkable this year than just trying to add to his collection of six Olympic medals. Five days before the opening ceremony, Wiggins hopes to stand on the podium at the conclusion of the Tour de France Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

“Last year proved that I’ve become much more of a complete rider,” Wiggins says. “I’m not just a time triallist any more. I’ve become more of a climber now – who still keeps that time trial as strong as ever. It gives me such self-belief. I feel a different athlete." But before practice can begin he will have to retrieve his bike, which has been hung precariously from a ledge by his team-mate Mark Cavendish Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

“I’ve got an opportunity that not many people have – to be the leader of Team Sky as I enter the prime years of my career. I have the potential to be up there in the Tour de France – not many people get to do that. And not many people get the chance to then compete at the Olympics a week later.” Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

“I’m glad I’ve had all these up-and-down moments [in the past 14 years since winning the Junior World Championships] because they make who you are. I remember how we started from nowhere and built it up. When we finally got to the top we appreciated what we’d achieved.” Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

After the shock of his fourth-place finish in the Tour de France the year after winning Olympic gold medals in Beijing, Wiggins was unveiled as the feted leader of the newly launched Team Sky in 2010. The heavily funded glamour boys of British cycling flopped badly. But last year was different. Wiggins won the venerable Critérium du Dauphiné – and over eight days of imperious riding carved out a significant gap between himself and Cadel Evans, who came second. In the Tour de France, however, Wiggins suffered a bad accident on the seventh stage and broke his collarbone Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Can he imagine winning the Tour de France this year? “Um … yeah … winning it,” Wiggins says softly. “It takes a lot to win the Tour de France. I certainly think I’m physically capable now – more than ever. I proved that last year ... it’s just belief really. I believe in myself and the people around me. I just have to keep putting the work in, and I’ll get the rewards. I just don’t know what those rewards are yet.” Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian