Bradley Wiggins opened his difficulties on his difficulties after retirement, while cycling legend detailed his battle on drug addiction and the financial problems that declared him bankrupt in June of last year.
Wiggins, which won a previous national record eight Olympic medals, was one of the largest cyclists ever produced by Great Britain, winning titles on the track and on the road with his entire career.
Despite its success on the track, however, a company controlled by Wiggins would have debts totaling approximately 1 million pounds sterling, and after having failed in its individual voluntary agreement (IVA) to reimburse the money he owed, he was declared bankrupt.
The former cyclist would have been left homeless and slept at various addresses, including that of his ex-wife, and would have been close to selling his Olympic medals.
In addition to his financial problems, Wiggins also had his own mental health battle, struggling with alcohol consumption after his new fame at the start of his career, and revealing that he was sexually abused in adolescence by a coach.
The winner of the Tour de France has now opened these personal difficulties, revealing that he had also had trouble with drug addiction after his retirement. However, Wiggins insists that he is “in a good place” at the moment and that his debts have been settled.
Bradley Wiggins opened its doors on his drug and bankruptcy problems after retirement
Wiggins was the first British cyclist to win the Tour de France, achieving the feat in 2012
But it has been difficult to cycle in your personal life since retirement in 2016
“The contradiction is that the coach who mistreated me was my first male model in cycling,” he told Telegraph.
“I had grown with an absent father, and this man therefore instilled in me confidence as a bicycle rider. Wherever he went, he said to everyone: “This kid will be special.”
“It somehow compensates for what was happening behind the scenes. There were other children at the club that he also arrived. We were normalized in behavior, forced to feel that there was nothing wrong with that.
“You are only 13 years old, but it leads to a really dark period. Within the three years following their retirement in 2016, I was drug addict. And that was largely to do with this reminder of my childhood.
Wiggins continued to discuss his financial difficulties and attributed the problems allowing him to “benefit” him during his bicycle career.
He added: “I regret I never paid attention to my financial affairs when I was running. This is one of the things that happens to athletes – you make a lot of money and, if you don’t have your eyes on it, people take advantage of it. I torn myself down to the left, right and in the center by the people who took care of me. Accountants too.
However, the 44 -year -old man then said that his debts were settled and that he is back on an ascending trajectory in life.
He said, “Everything is resolved now. I’m on myst step now. It was something that was done to me. Eight months later, everything turned. Responsible people pay a high price. Fortunately, everything is fine. My life is in a good place.
Wiggins has already been declared bankrupt but revealed that he had now authorized 2 million pounds sterling in debt
The Briton won five gold medals during his Olympic career, with five different games
Wiggins – who became the first Briton to win the Tour de France in 2012 and was knight in 2013 – would have been “surfing sofa” in June after the barn of £ 975,000 which he once shared with his ex -wife Cath and their children were redesigned by a construction company and sold.
“I am in this situation now but because of the waste that has been created,” admitted Wiggins – which once was worth 13 million pounds sterling.
“It has been rumbling for several years now, it has not happened overnight.”
In September 2024, Wiggins made his first bicycle ride “in almost three years” and offered fans the opportunity to join him on a 50 -miles route through the Staffordshire at the price of £ 50 per person.
