Steve Cummings has revealed his Team Sky colleague Bradley Wiggins is in "super" condition ahead of the Giro d'Italia this weekend.

When 30-year-old Wiggins starts Saturday's first Grand Tour of 2010 he will rank among the favourites to win the opening 8.4 kilometre time-trial in Amsterdam.

If Wiggins triumphs on Saturday he would become the second Briton to secure the Giro's pink jersey, the maglia rosa, behind Mark Cavendish, who is not competing in the event this year in favour of the Tour of California.

Londoner Wiggins is expected to race at Tour pace for the opening two weeks of the 21-stage race and slow down until the May 30 finish in Verona to build up miles without becoming over-exhausted.

Cummings, though, predicts Wiggins will battle for a spot on the podium should he be in contention going into the concluding week.

"If he's still leading after two weeks he'll have to go for it - I don't think opportunities like that come round very often," said Cummings.

"I've been racing with him and he always looks super. He's in good condition and good morale.

"I think he's better than this time last year, so he's on target."

Glory

Wiggins will use the Giro as a dress rehearsal for the Tour de France as he did in 2009, when the Londoner equalled the best British result in Tour history with a fourth overall finish.

If Wiggins strives for overall glory in the Giro it could jeopardise his Tour chances, with the prestigious race set to begin on July 3 in Rotterdam.

But Cummings insists success in the Tour of Italy would be an impressive feat in its own right.

"The Giro's fantastic, an incredible race," he said.

"The Tour's fantastic, but it's not the be-all and end-all, like some people think it is.

"The Giro is one of the most colourful races and in my opinion the best race to watch on TV."

Cummings will guard Wiggins throughout the Giro, but could be granted his own chances if Wiggins eases off in the latter stages.

With Chris Froome also included in the nine-man Team Sky squad, Merseyside rider Cummings is thrilled to be racing alongside his fellow Britons, adding: "Because we're good friends it makes for a better team performance, people will give that little bit extra."