"He's one of the main reasons I'm doing well today" - Bradley Wiggins thanks Lance Armstrong after rough period

Bradley Wiggins is one of the greatest legends in British cycling history both on the road and on the track. However the 45-year old went through a very rough period in the years following his retirement from pro cycling; and was widely helped by Lance Armstrong.

However, he fell into a deep hole after his retirement from professional sports, with problems of alcoholism, drug addiction and bankruptcy: "For many years I was a functional cocaine addict. Most people didn't notice. I was under the effects most of the time. At some point I realized I had a very serious problem and needed to stop. I'm lucky to be alive," Wiggins acknowledged in an interview for The Observer.

In the middle of his recovery process was an unlikely figure: "Lance has been very good to me. I know it's not something everyone wants to hear, because a lot of people only want to hear negative things. But you can only judge by how you are treated, and he has been a constant source of inspiration and support".

"He's one of the main reasons I'm doing well today, both physically and mentally. I'm very grateful to him." Adding that he would even check in with his family for more news: "I would ask my son, 'How's your dad,' and Ben would reply, 'I haven't heard from him in a couple of weeks; I know he's living in a hotel. For days they didn't hear from me. Now I can talk about all this openly. Living a lie, hiding it, there was something about it that got me."

The Briton will also be part of 'The Move' podcast, headlined by Armstrong, during the upcoming Tour de France, in which they provide daily commentary on the stages. His son Ben Wiggins has also in the meantime making his way through the under-23 ranks with a bright future ahead, currently racing for the Hagens Bermans Jayco.