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From Modfather track cyclist to mountain goat, Britain's Bradley Wiggins, like Saddles, is now good enough to refer to himself in the third person.

Poised in third place, one minute 46 seconds down on yellow jersey Alberto Contador, Wiggins is lurking with intent.

On the way to Arcalis he proved his newfound climbing pedigree and gained a reputation as a bit of an oddball by shouting his favourite catchphrase "That's what I'm talking about!" out loud when the going got tough like a sadomasochistic madman let out on day release.

A week later, Wiggo's explosive ascent to Verbier showed that Andorra was no fluke for the man who lost 20 pounds in the off-season by going on a gluten-free diet and curbing his thirst for beer. Leaner but still standing tall at 6'3, Wiggo is now Twiggo.

Granted, the 29-year-old could still fall off the wagon on the Tour's penultimate stage up the Ventoux, but he's sure as hell confident, describing his fifth-place finish in Verbier as "phenomenal, it really was".

The moment of belief came when he "looked round and saw Sastre on his knees, Cadel too, and thought 'this is the Tour de France'," before no doubt informing the others at the top of his voice just what it was he was talking about.

Before the Massif Central's lunar showdown, there are two more Alpine stages and the small matter of the lakeside ITT, a discipline in which he excels.

"Once we get to Annecy on Thursday, Wiggo will be in his element," the stylish Mod warned his rivals on the rest day, probably from behind a pair of chunky white retro Ray-Bans. "I've got a chance now to climb on to the podium which I don't think has ever been done by a British rider."

Before the Tour, talk of a Brit atop the podium in Paris went only as far as Mark Cavendish for the green jersey competition. The idea of Wiggins being on the GC plinth was perhaps as inconceivable as, say, Frenchmen winning three stages.

Donning the yellow jersey must now be a target for Wiggins, who says he's prepared both mentally and physically for the task to come.

Cadel Evans, for whom mental stability has always been a physical hindrance, thinks the six-time Olympic medallist can do it - and so does Garmin team-mate David Millar, who admitted: "He's the last person I thought would do this, but why not? He's a new man."

If Wiggins was to make the podium in any capacity then Britain would have two riders vying for the coveted BBC sports personality of the year award. Hmm, BS wonders: of those two, who would you prefer to be stuck in a lift with: Wiggo or Cav?

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "The race has been like it is since the beginning. It still is the same fight the rest of the riders are out [of contention to win]. It's a boring race, from outside and inside." Carlos Sastre bemoans the lack of drama on this year's Tour.

PLAT DU JOUR: Solid mountain food is on the menu today: onion soup followed by a hearty Tartiflette (with both reblochon and beaufort cheeses) and a shot of aromatic Alpine liquor Genepi.

PREDICTION: The riders must negotiate both the Grand and Petit St Bernard passes on the way to yet another tedious valley finish. Historically these passes were patrolled by huge dogs of the same name, complete with a mini barrel of brandy tied around their necks. The most famous St Bernard dog to save people at the pass was called Barry, who saved up to 100 lives.

If Bernhard Kohl was still around, he'd be a favourite not only for his name, but for his striking resemblance to another mutt, the cartoon character Droopy. So we'll have to settle for Liquigas' Brian Vandborg, who shares his name with the talking canine from Family Guy. Or Evans, whose love of Molly knows no bounds.

Don't forget to follow Blazin' Saddles throughout the day at www.twitter.com/saddleblaze.

Tour de France stage 16 LIVE at 11:30am on Tuesday on British Eurosport (Sky 410 / Virgin Media 521); Also available on your PC via the Eurosport Player - click on the link under the picture to subscribe

Felix Lowe / Eurosport