Bradley Wiggins not expecting podium push on rowing debut

Five-time Olympic champion Wiggins will swap his bike for the ergo next month at the British Rowing Indoor Championships, having announced his retirement from cycling in December 2016.

The 2012 Tour de France champion first took up rowing in a bid to keep fit, but found his numbers were too good not to pursue the sport.

And while he is not expecting to reach the podium at the Lee Valley VeloPark on December 9, he's relishing the opportunity to pit his wits against Britain's finest.

"I don't expect to beat any of the [GB] rowers," Wiggins told LBC. "They're incredible athletes and amazing at what they do, so just to be in the same race as them and seeing how close I can get to them is an honour. And that's the beauty of this event - anyone can enter it and pitch themselves against the British best."

Wiggins isn't mounting his challenge on his own, though, having received coaching from two-time Olympic champion James Cracknell.

And the coxless four gold medallist from Sydney and Athens insists Wiggins' resilience will hold him in good stead.

"The thing that's similar to [riding on] the track is that the feedback is instantaneous and it's you against the machine," said Cracknell.

"The machine will always win, but it's how much you're prepared to put your hand in the flame and keep it there.

"Anyone who has seen Brad in the Tour, on the track or doing the hour record, they'll know he's prepared to put himself through a physical ordeal that not many people are, and that's effectively what the rowing machine does."