Bradley Wiggins checks into rehab facility for trauma counselling
Sir Bradley Wiggins has announced he is checking into a top rehab facility for trauma counselling, with funding from disgraced former cyclist Lance Armstrong, in an effort to turn his life around, reports BritPanorama.
The 45-year-old Olympic gold medallist, who has faced issues with drug addiction and bankruptcy, shared his plans during a talk at the Barbican in York. “I’m off to America on Friday. He’s paid for me to go and see a top trauma counselling clinic in Utah so I’m looking forward to that,” Wiggins revealed.
He added that Armstrong has also offered him a role in cycling that does not involve physical competition: “He’s offered me a role back in cycling, a platform which doesn’t involve me getting on a bike.” The two once competed together at several events, including the 2009 Tour de France.
Wiggins, the first British cyclist to win the Tour de France and an eight-time Olympic gold medallist, retired from professional cycling in 2016. He faced challenges with substance abuse and was declared bankrupt in June 2024.
Reflecting on his past struggles, Wiggins mentioned an incident where he “smashed up my 2012 trophy for Sports Personality of the Year and my knighthood” in front of his children, underscoring the extent of his battles. Armstrong, once a celebrated figure in cycling, admitted in 2013 to having used performance-enhancing drugs during his Tour de France victories. Following this confession, Armstrong was stripped of his titles, including seven Tour de France wins and an Olympic bronze medal.
Wiggins expressed gratitude for Armstrong’s support, stating, “Lance has been a source of inspiration to me and a constant source of help.” Their relationship traces back to 1993, when Wiggins watched Armstrong win the World Championship title as a young boy. Despite the complexities of their shared history, Wiggins acknowledged Armstrong’s influence, previously calling him an “icon” and “the archetypal Tour de France cyclist.” During their fierce rivalry, particularly during the 2009 Tour de France, Wiggins finished fourth, later promoted to third after Armstrong’s disqualifications due to doping.
While Wiggins once referred to Armstrong as a “lying b*****d” after his doping confession, he appears to have reconciled with him during his own struggles. This intertwining narrative of rivalry and support illustrates the complexities of their relationship, particularly as Wiggins now seeks help on his path to recovery.
In many ways, Wiggins’s journey serves as a stark reminder of how the lines in cycling can blur between competition and camaraderie, revealing the nuanced human stories lurking behind athletic achievements and controversies.
