Bradley Wiggins Credits Lance Armstrong as a Key Inspiration in Overcoming Personal Struggles

Bradley Wiggins

Five-time Olympic champion Sir Bradley Wiggins has opened up about the profound impact disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong had on his life, particularly during his battle with drug addiction. Wiggins, who made history as the first Briton to win the Tour de France in 2012, recently shared his struggles with cocaine addiction in an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live.

A Source of Strength and Inspiration

Wiggins described Armstrong as a "great strength and inspiration" who provided unwavering support during his darkest times. "He's been a great strength to me and a great inspiration to me, and it's on a human level," Wiggins said. "Lance has been very, very good to me. That's not something everyone wants to hear because people only like to hear the bad stuff."

The Road to Recovery

Since retiring in 2016, Wiggins has faced numerous challenges, including bankruptcy and personal trauma. He revealed that Armstrong's guidance was instrumental in helping him navigate these difficulties. "You can only take someone how they treat you and Lance has been a source of inspiration to me and a constant source of help towards me and is one of the main factors why I'm in this position I am today mentally and physically, so, I'm indebted to him for that," Wiggins added.

Looking Ahead

Wiggins will be collaborating with Armstrong this summer, covering the Tour de France for Armstrong's podcast, The Move. Reflecting on his journey, Wiggins emphasized the importance of learning from past mistakes. "I'm never going to make the same mistake twice, so I've sort of vowed that to myself. I've learned from the past," he said.

A Human Story

Wiggins' story is a poignant reminder of the human side of sports. "We are all humans at the end of the day and it is a human story and I've had lots of events in my life that informed the problems I had in my life post-cycling," he explained. His candid revelations shed light on the often-overlooked struggles athletes face after their careers end.