Sir Bradley Wiggins insisted he was going to enjoy what might be the final race of his career after moving into a share of third place with Mark Cavendish as the Ghent Six Day started in the 36-year-old's city of birth.

The five-time Olympic champion and Britain's first Tour de France winner had expected the exhibition event, which begins on Tuesday and finishes on Sunday, to be his final hurrah, but hinted he may be tempted to race again next year after last month's London Six Day.

Wiggins use of therapeutic use exemptions (TUEs) for anti-inflammatory drug triamcinolone on the eve of the 2011 and 2012 Tours de France and 2013 Giro d'Italia overshadowed the build-up to what could still be his farewell appearance.

But he insisted he was in shape to ensure this week is remembered for all the right reasons following a promising start alongside Cavendish.

"I've trained hard for this, you know? I've been looking forward to it, I really have," he was reported as saying in the Telegraph.

"Nothing was going to p*** on my parade."

Wiggins told reporters to ask him again on Sunday as to whether this is his final appearance, but admitted he would be emotional this week.

"I'm sure I will," he added. "Especially when my kids come.

"Because I always think of my father. I was sat in the cabins with me dad when I was one and I've got pictures of that. And because I have my own kids now... it will be really nice."

Wiggins and Cavendish in action together (Getty)

Wiggins and Cavendish won the second points race of the night and were second in the team elimination after the Manxman was beaten in the final sprint.

Cavendish was second in the 166 metre time trial before teaming up with Wiggins to win the first madison.

Cavendish then won the derny final, but he and Wiggins were less successful in the final madison of the night and dropped to third overall.

On 72 points, the British pair lie 18 points behind leaders Kenny de Ketele and Moreno de Pauw, the pair who beat them in the London Six Day.