British cycling legend Chris Boardman has warned against the huge public expectations around Bradley Wiggins ahead of this year's Tour de France.
Olympic gold medallist Wiggins is not even certain of a place in his Cofidis team for the Tour, which begins with a prologue around the streets of London.
Boardman said: "He's under massive pressure. People want him to move up several steps in one go.
"It's genuinely feasible he can make that step up, but it is a tall order."
Boardman, a former wearer of the Tour yellow jersey, is hopeful that Wiggins' good displays on road and track this year will convince Cofidis to pick his compatriot.
"There's no reason why he can't get in on his current form," he said.
"If it works out, it will be a special occasion he'll remember for the rest of his life"
"Looking at some of the test results he turned in he's in better road form than I've seen him - but he has to perform in this weekend's Dauphine Libere.
"I really feel for him because he can no longer have a good ride - just win or fail."
Wiggins is Britain's leading hope for success in the Tour prologue, which takes place around Hyde Park on 7 July.
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And Boardman believes that winning the 8km sprint in the race's first visit to the British capital would represent the pinnacle of Wiggins' career to date.
"If it works out, it will be a special occasion he'll remember for the rest of his life.
"Cycling in Dublin was the closest I ever got to competing in the UK, and that was very special for me."
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