Whilst the 2024
Tour de France is quickly approaching with much excitement and fervour, for the 2012 Maillot Jaune winner,
Bradley Wiggins, things aren't quite so rosy at the moment.
"It's tragic, horrible, but some insight into what he's going through," says the ex-wife of the former Tour de France winner, hour record holder and Olympic gold medalist, Cath, in conversation with the
Daily Mail after Wiggins' own lawyer admitted he didn't know where the 44-year-old was sleeping night by night after losing everything due to going into administration.
"I just hope that instead of judgment people can show compassion," continues Wiggins' ex-wife, imploring those in the cycling community to think of the legendary figure in British cycling's mental well being before passing any comments online. "My primary concern was, and is always, if he's going to be all right, and that's not weird or difficult from my perspective. Whatever has happened he's the father of my children. He's also had a hell of a lot to have to come to terms with and it's a shame he's not had the chance to do that in peace. He's had to live such a lot of his life under intense public scrutiny and that takes its toll."
Bringing the sport of cycling to a mainstream audience in the United Kingdom like never before, Wiggins become a household name in the UK, known as much for his iconic sideburns, tattoos and effortless swagger as his incredible performances on the bike. Despite the fact they are no longer married, Cath remains a big supporter of 'Wiggo' and hearing of his housing predicament, she didn't hesitate to help. "It's a desperate situation he's in, tragic really, that's why I've put him up for a bit," she explains. "We're lucky with the home we have that he can have one end and I have another."
Cath also doesn't fully blame Wiggins for his own predicament. "I'm not going to name names. But people took advantage. And Bradley was very generous. He was never that interested in money," she concludes.