My Son Warned for My Safety Amidst Alcohol Addiction and £2 Million Debt, Bradley Wiggins Reveals… The Fallen Star Offered Support

Bradley Wiggins, a five-time Olympic gold medalist, knighted, and once worth an estimated £13 million, seemed to have it all.

However, in June, the former sports legend faced bankruptcy, owing over £1 million, and disclosed that he was living on his ex-wife’s couch after losing his £975,000 home.

Bradley Wiggins on the winner’s podium after his time trial gold at the London 2012 Olympics

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Bradley Wiggins on the winner’s podium following his time trial gold at the London 2012 OlympicsCredit: Getty
Cyclist known as 'Wiggo' with ex-wife Catherine

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Known as ‘Wiggo’, the cyclist with his ex-wife CatherineCredit: Getty Images – Getty

At the age of 44, he has shared his experiences with depression, battles with alcohol, and how his 19-year-old son Ben was once worried for his wellbeing as he isolated himself in a dark hotel room last November.

In a candid discussion on The High Performance Podcast, he explained, “I went through some extremely tough times. Probably the most severe was nearly a year ago, but I won’t delve into that.

“I found myself in a very bleak place, confined to a hotel room for days; it was my son who eventually stepped in and helped me realize the self-destructive patterns I was exhibiting.

“There were many deeper issues behind it.”

“I have always struggled with something that caused me distress and made it challenging to find peace; there always seemed to be something looming ahead. Accepting that a clear path may never emerge has been part of my journey.

“I’ve learned that we’re born into challenges, and how we maneuver through them shapes our lives.”

“I was reluctant to seek therapy. My thought was that ‘No therapist could truly understand what goes on in my mind’.”

He has shared that he is currently in a “good place” and is resolved to recover a significant portion of the debt his business accrued, which now stands at £2 million following his bankruptcy.

Wiggins acknowledges an unexpected ally – disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong.

The seven-time Tour de France champion, who was stripped of his titles and banned for life after admitting to doping, has become a trusted friend and recently offered to finance his therapy for the first time.

Brave Sir Bradley Wiggins discusses the harrowing sexual abuse he endured as a child at the hands of an older cycling coach

Bradley is Great Britain's most decorated Olympian with eight medals

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Bradley is Great Britain’s most decorated Olympian with eight medalsCredit: Orion

Initially hesitant to accept this offer, he is now more prepared mentally to take this step.

He reflected, “Lance has been incredibly supportive, especially this year. We discussed therapy’s possibility, and he’s shown willingness to cover my stay at a prominent facility in Atlanta.”

“He means well. His past actions, although unfortunate, do not solely define him. He definitely has a compassionate side.”

Struggles with Alcohol

Bradley began sharing his mental health issues two years ago, worsened by a traumatic childhood involving sexual abuse by a former coach.

His father, Gary, a cyclist, struggled with alcoholism and addiction, leaving the family when Bradley was just 18 months old. He returned to his life when Bradley turned 19, only after he found substantial success in cycling.

Even after their reunion, his father callously remarked that Bradley would “never be as great as your old man.”

At one of my lowest points, I tossed all my trophies off the mantelpiece because I thought, ‘What purpose do these serve?’

Bradley

From ages 13 to 16, Bradley suffered sexual abuse from coach Stan Knight, who died in 2003.

Throughout his illustrious career, he earned eight Olympic medals, five of which were gold, and became the first British cyclist to win the Tour de France in 2012.

However, after retiring in 2016, he realized that cycling had been a distraction from his trauma, causing his issues to resurface with more intensity.

In a recent interview on this week’s High Performance podcast, he disclosed that the abuse left a lasting scar, but he has learned to manage it over the past year.

He remarked, “I’m genuinely in the best state I’ve been in for 44 years.”

“This is largely due to the lessons I’ve learned while navigating adversity and overcoming dark times for several reasons.”

Bradley with his father Gary, who abandoned the family when he was just 18 months old

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Bradley with his father Gary, who left the family when he was just 18 months oldCredit: Instagram

“I used to think my achievements were the issue, but I now understand it’s much more complex, involving a myriad of factors. The past five years have revolved around reconciling all of that in my mind.”

“I’ve taken ownership of my life, and I’m not in a position to blame others anymore.”

Impact of My Son

When asked about the turning point for his newfound accountability, he credited his son Ben, a 19-year-old aspiring cyclist, for pulling him from a “very dark space” on November 20 last year, the day marking the 71st birthday of Bradley’s father, who was notoriously murdered in 2008.

His father passed away from a head injury following an altercation at a party in New South Wales, Australia, without any charges being pressed concerning his death.

After the hotel incident, Ben voiced his concerns about receiving a call about his father’s potential suicide.

Initially, Bradley thought that opening up about his struggles would help him cope, but he soon recognized the opposite was true.

He elaborated: “As I spoke about my journey, I began to view myself as a martyr – presenting myself as someone who had endured hardships and could guide others while overlooking my own need for support.”

“Two years ago, I believed I was managing well, but in fact, I was engaging in self-defeating behaviors – smoking, drinking, and pretending everything was okay. However, I’m making real strides now.”

He described himself as an “avoider,” someone who buried his traumatic past while achieving success in cycling. But reaching the peak of his career in 2012, winning his fifth Olympic gold, and shortly thereafter clinching the Tour de France, left him feeling empty.

“Winning Olympic gold, standing on the podium after the Tour de France just days prior, basking in the glory, and grappling with the question ‘What’s next?’ was challenging,” he reminisced.

“That day was invaluable, given its importance and the millions cheering from the sidelines, sparking a cycling renaissance.”

Bradley with Stan Knight, who abused him for three years

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Bradley with Stan Knight, who was responsible for the abuse he suffered for three years

“You know, The Sun was handing out sideburns that day on the front pages.”

A Very Dark Chapter

Later that year, Bradley was honored with the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award and was knighted in the 2013 New Year Honours. Nevertheless, he channeled his struggles into his achievements.

He recounted: “During one of my darkest phases, I destroyed all my trophies from the mantelpiece because I thought, ‘What significance do these possess?’

“I got rid of my Sports Personality of the Year trophy and my knighthood awards – symbols that supposedly affirmed my greatness – as I battled with my achievements defining my worth within my family and society’s context of success.”

“I aimed to prove – in a very misguided way while under the influence – that these items were pointless, mere artifacts without meaning.”

The profound pain that led me to question my existence originated from the sexual abuse I endured for three years at the hands of my first coach.

Bradley

“There were many similar episodes during that time.”

When asked if he now feels a sense of self-pride, the father of three replied, “Yes,” noting he certainly could not have made that claim a year prior.

“I take pride in the individual I am becoming. I believe I am a good father to my children.”

Alongside Ben, Bradley has an 18-year-old daughter named Isabella from his marriage to Cath, which ended four years ago, and a three-year-old daughter named Ava Joy with Laura Hartshorne, from whom he has also separated.

While he had previously viewed his cycling accomplishments as merely a reflection of his hardships, he now asserts they have “saved his life” and wouldn’t wish to alter any part of that.

“Cycling genuinely protected me in many ways. I can’t fathom what my life would be like now without it.”

“I wouldn’t change anything about my path thus far, as our reactions to life events shape our character. I believe my most significant years are still ahead.”

Bradley’s son Ben, a cyclist, following in his father’s footsteps

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Bradley’s son Ben is a cyclist, following in his father’s pathCredit: Rex

“I believe that excellence is born from overcoming adversity and surviving difficult times. I’ve encountered numerous highly successful individuals, many of whom have experienced ‘damaged’ backgrounds.”

Confronting the Past

He underscored the critical effect of his history, stating, “The central factor that influenced me, and one of the main reasons I battled with living, was the sexual abuse I endured from my first coach for three years.”

“After avoiding acknowledgment of that truth for thirty years, I recognized it played a vital role in my accomplishments by distracting me during those years.”

“Yet, upon retiring, I harbored resentment towards cycling, blaming it for introducing me to that person.”

Following an interview with The Times last summer, four others came forward, alleging they were victims at the same cycling club.

That experience provided a sense of liberation, offering essential external validation.

In the past, I turned to alcohol, convinced it was a way to cope with my introversion, but it only intensified my anxiety.

Bradley

“The intricacies involved are vast. My connection with my father and growing up without a father figure—due to his murder in 2008—holds significant meaning.”

Bradley maintains that he never felt loved in his youth due to his father’s absence, and after his departure, his mother became involved with a man who was “quite heavy-handed” with him.

He recounted: “My father left when I was just one and a half. I reunited with him at 19, just as I began to achieve success.”

“One notable thing he said upon reconnecting was, ‘Remember, you’ll never be as good as your old man’. This sentiment lingers in my mind, and it is integral to my healing process.”

An Unexpected Supporter

Speaking about Lance Armstrong’s generous offer, he mentioned that he’s contemplating taking him up on the suggestion.

Bradley was knighted for his contributions to cycling

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Bradley was knighted for his contributions to cyclingCredit: Getty

He recounted his initial response to Armstrong’s therapy offer, stating: “At first, I thought, ‘I don’t need help – how could you suggest that, although I appreciate your intent.’

“That conversation occurred five months ago, and now I’m contemplating reaching out to ask, ‘Is that offer still available, Lance?’

“I wanted to establish some control in my life independently. If I could improve on my own, without attributing my recovery entirely to professional assistance, that was important to me. I genuinely aimed to find my balance.”

“Now, I have a clearer understanding of what I want to tackle in therapy, focusing on my behavioral patterns and uncovering the root causes of these feelings while delving into these issues.”

“I didn’t want to approach therapy as if saying, ‘Fix me.’”

“I will always honor my past. My history has been fundamental in shaping who I am today. What I need to manage is to not be burdened by the past but to redefine my relationship with it.”

Individuals profited from my name in various ways, and I was unaware as my sole focus was on cycling.

Bradley

“I have a well-defined vision of my personal objectives.”

“Happiness is a fleeting feeling that fluctuates, but contentment is something I’ve discovered to be substantially more profound.”

“I’ve given up alcohol, as I’ve refined my decision-making abilities. My thought processes have become healthier.”

“Previously, I felt compelled to drink, thinking it eased my anxiety associated with being introverted – in reality, it only exacerbated it.”

Wiggins expressed confidence in his ability to stabilize his finances after declaring bankruptcy in June, disclosing last week that his company’s debts have surged to £2 million, double the previous estimate.

Once valued at £13 million, he has lost his £975,000 family home, his property in Majorca, and has been couch surfing, occasionally hosted by his ex-wife.

However, he informed interviewers Jake Humphrey and Damian Hughes: “There was substantial professional neglect, and several impending cases should enable me to recover a significant portion.”

The full interview will be accessible on The High Performance Podcast across all major platforms.

Lance Armstrong with his stunning wife Anna Hansen, who is 15 years younger

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Lance Armstrong with his wife Anna Hansen, who is 15 years his juniorCredit: Getty
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