Team Sky leader Bradley Wiggins believes his attempt to become Britain's first ever Tour de France winner 'is going to be horrible'.

The three-time Olympic champion crashed out of the 2010 race with a broken collarbone and could only watch as Australian Cadel Evans edged out Andy Schleck for his first Tour win.

This year Wiggins is in the form of his life, with victories in the prestigious Paris-Nice, Tour de Romandie and Criterium du Dauphine races making him the bookies' favourite.

Wiggins told the Guardian: "There are good reasons to be confident: the team I've got, the way the guys in the team have been riding, the fact that Andy Schleck won't be at the Tour. All those factors add up and give you greater confidence and belief.

"That feeling of confidence is a hard thing to explain. It's not confidence that you are unbeatable but confidence that you have done the work to the maximum of your ability, and all you have to do now is empty it, be the best athlete you can be and take what you get from it at the end.

"It's not going to be pleasant, but it's what needs to be done. It's not going to be nice. In fact, it's going to be horrible."

As for the Olympics, Wiggins added, "I really feel this could be my year. It's simply the way I've felt all season, and that's how it was in 2008. There have been no upsets, no setbacks, just one phase after another. Now we are finally there.

"Before Beijing in the Great Britain team we were aware of the expectation, knew we were the favourites, but also knew that we had to concentrate on what we had to do. I feel poised, hopefully to make history.

"That doesn't mean I'm dreaming of what might be: I've got my businesslike head on. I feel relaxed and businesslike."

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