"Within three years of retiring I was a drug addict" - Bradley Wiggins open and honest about lows that almost ended his life
Cycling
Bradley Wiggins remains one of the most iconic figures in British
sport, yet his post-cycling career has been anything but smooth. From his historic
Tour de France victory in 2012 to his Olympic Games glory, Wiggins’ achievements
cemented him as a legend. However, behind the success, he has faced deep
personal struggles, from financial ruin to addiction and the lasting trauma of
abuse.
In a recent interview with The Telegraph, Wiggins opened up
about the bankruptcy and drug addiction battles that have shaped his life in
recent years. Despite his accomplishments, financial mismanagement left a
company under his control with debts totalling around £1 million.
His financial collapse had devastating consequences,
reportedly leaving him homeless, sleeping in various locations, including his former
wife’s home. At one point, he was even said to have considered selling his
Olympic medals, a dark contrast to the glory of standing on the podium.
Beyond the financial turmoil, Wiggins has also struggled
with his mental health, a battle that has followed him throughout his life. He
has previously spoken about his difficulties coping with fame, turning to drinking
in the early years of his career. However, the deepest scars trace back to his
childhood, where he suffered sexual abuse at the hands of a coach.
"The contradiction is that the coach who abused me was
my first male role model in cycling," Wiggins revealed. "I had grown
up with an absent father, and so this man instilled a confidence in me as a
bike rider. Wherever he went, he would tell everyone: 'This kid's going to be
special.' It kind of offset what was going on behind the scenes.
“There were other kids at the club it was happening to as
well. We were normalised to the behaviour, made to feel there was nothing wrong
with it. You're only 13, but it leads to a really dark period. Within three
years of retiring in 2016, I was a drug addict. And a lot of it was to do with
this recall of my childhood."
His honesty about addiction highlights a darker side of
elite sport, where athletes often struggle with their identities once they step
away from competition. The rigid discipline of professional cycling was gone,
leaving Wiggins vulnerable to the pain he had suppressed for decades.
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Alongside his mental health challenges, Wiggins also
admitted he was exploited financially during his career. While he earned millions
as one of Britain’s most successful cyclists, he failed to keep track of his
finances and ultimately fell victim to those entrusted with managing them.
"I regret I never paid attention to my financial
affairs when I was racing. It’s one of the things that happens to athletes –
you make a lot of money and, if you haven’t got your eyes on it, people take
advantage. I was getting ripped off left, right and centre by the people
looking after me. Accountants as well."
His case is far from unique in the world of professional
sport. Many elite athletes, focused solely on their performance, place blind
trust in managers, agents, and accountants, only to discover later that they
have been misled. The reality of financial exploitation in sport is
well documented, and Wiggins’ experience is another stark warning of how even
the biggest stars can be left vulnerable.
Despite everything, Wiggins insists he has finally regained control
of his life. He describes how, after months of turmoil, he has been able to resolve
the issues that led to his bankruptcy.
"It's all resolved now. I'm on the front foot now. This
was something that was done to me. Eight months on, it has all turned around.
The people who are responsible are paying a heavy price for it. Fortunately,
it's all good. My life's in a good place."
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
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parisbound0008-11-2026 - there needs to be space in life for pointless comments!Ketterechts08-11-2026
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