Wiggins, who has won three gold medals on the track at the Olympics and six overall since making his debut at the 2000 Games in Sydney, has lost weight and proved he was able to keep up with the favourites in the mountains.

He even attacked Lance Armstrong's chasing pack with three kilometres to go as Spain's Alberto Contador was surging to victory in the Swiss ski resort of Verbier.

The 29-year-old Londoner said: "Fantastic, it's really fantastic, I don't know what to say, just do what I do and it worked.

"I'm in great shape, I just keep thinking that. I kept that in my mind."

The performance came a day after insidethegames revealed that Wiggins is prepared to sacrifice the opportunity of more glory on the track at the London 2012 Olympics to pursue his dream of becoming the first Briton to ever win the Tour de France.

Wiggins, who has shed seven kilograms since his last Tour de France in 2007 and now weighs 72 kilos at 1.90 metres tall, was keeping his feet firmly on the ground.

He said: "I keep going day by day, I keep saying, day by day, I never think too far ahead.

"I've trained for this mentally and physically."

His Garmin-Slipstream manager Jonathan Vaughters said recuperation would be key as the peloton enjoys a day off on Monday before two more stages in the Alps towards the finish of the race in Paris on July 26.

Vaughters said: "He has never done this before.

"He is going to have to learn how to regulate his body.

"We hope we can get him in this position to the time trial on Thursday."

There was no way Wiggins, who trails yellow jersey holder Contador by one minute 46 seconds, would think that far ahead.

He said: "How can you think three days ahead when you've got two days before?

"That's how you crack - it's a long way to go, let's not get too excited."

Following Monday's rest, Wiggins will have to tackle the gruelling 24.4-km ascent to the Col du Grand St Bernard at an average gradient of 6.2 percent in the 16th stage.

Mark Cavendish, meanwhile, has given up hope of claiming the green jersey awarded to the best sprinter following disqualification from yesterday's bunch finish.

The Isle of Man rider hit out at his rival for the sprinters’ crown, Norwegian Thor Hushovd, who had complained to race judges that the Briton had forced him into the barriers.

He said: "I hope Thor can sleep at night.

"But what can you do?

"If it means that much to him, then so be it."