Bradley Wiggins wanted to add the World time trial Championship to his private collection and the Olympic title he won in London last year. On British home soil a year ago Wiggins defeated German Tony Martin but in Florence the day before yesterday, Martin proved invincible. The British Sky rider invented no excuses after the race and gallantly conceded defeat.

On Sunday Wiggins will be part of the British team that will help Chris Froome in quest for the gold medal on the undulating parcours in Tuscany.

"When I was asked to contest the road race, I said yes immediately. I never turn down the opportunity to race for my country, especially with the form that I have at this time, and if we can do a job like we did two years ago for Cav [ Mark Cavendish] when he won the World Champions, then it would be great," Wiggins said according to Biciciclismo.com.

Despite earlier reports that Wiggins and Froome aren’t exactly the best of friends, Wiggins was unequivocal when talking about who would lead the British team on Sunday.

"Chris has been focused on this race, so I'm sure he and the team performance of Britain have come up with the right plan and that he is going to give everything, no doubt. He has demonstrated all year [that he can concoct a winning plan] and he can dominate the sport for another five or six years."

After his poor start to the season, including his withdrawal from the Giro d’Italia due to a chest infection, Wiggins has managed to raise his level and recently won the Tour of Britain and silver in the time trial on Wednesday.

"I love the sport and everything around it and it really was an honour to be on the podium with those two guys [Tony Martin and Fabian Cancellara]. It will be something to show the kids when I'm older. This season I had to start from the bottom, which was not easy, but I can say I managed," Wiggins said.