Context:

Bradley Wiggins, once celebrated for his cycling prowess and achievements, including being the first Briton to win the Tour de France and securing Olympic gold, faced a tumultuous post-career life marked by addiction and financial troubles. Despite his seemingly perfect career, personal struggles emerged, leading to a cocaine addiction, divorce, and eventual bankruptcy. These issues were compounded by the collapse of Team Wiggins, which he founded, and lingering doping allegations that questioned ethical lines in sports medicine. Wiggins' journey has been fraught with personal demons, including a troubled childhood and early career grooming, yet he finds solace in cycling as a therapeutic escape. While facing an uncertain future, he aims to rebuild his life, supported by figures like Lance Armstrong, despite ongoing challenges and controversies surrounding his legacy.

Dive Deeper:

• Bradley Wiggins reached the pinnacle of his career in 2012, winning the Tour de France and an Olympic gold medal, becoming Britain's most decorated Olympian by 2016, and establishing himself as a style icon and media figure.

• Following his retirement, Wiggins struggled with a cocaine addiction that led to significant personal and financial difficulties, including divorce and bankruptcy, exacerbated by the collapse of his self-founded Team Wiggins.

• Despite his clean image during his career, Wiggins faced scrutiny over doping allegations, particularly concerning a mysterious 'Jiffy bag', leaving many questions unanswered and casting a shadow over his achievements.

• Wiggins' early life was marked by adversity, including a broken home and being groomed by a coach, which contributed to his later struggles with self-worth and addiction, highlighting the need for better support systems for athletes.

• Cycling remains a crucial therapeutic outlet for Wiggins, offering him solace and a sense of peace amidst his personal turmoil, as he seeks to rebuild his life and legacy with support from figures like Lance Armstrong.

• The British cycling community, including leaders and peers, continues to acknowledge Wiggins' contributions to the sport, even as they navigate the complexities of his personal and professional challenges.

• Wiggins' story underscores the psychological and emotional toll of high-level sports, prompting discussions about the need for comprehensive mental health support for athletes during and after their careers.