Sir Bradley Wiggins has revealed he is preparing to enter a rehabilitation facility for trauma counselling, with the costs covered by disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong. The 45-year-old former Tour de France winner and five-time Olympic gold medallist opened up about his mental health struggles during an appearance at the Barbican in York on Wednesday.
Wiggins, who retired from cycling in December 2016, has previously spoken about his battles with substance abuse, describing himself as a 'functioning addict'. He told the audience that he will travel to the United States to attend a specialist clinic in Utah, with Armstrong paying for the treatment. 'I still speak to him and see him,' Wiggins said. '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.'
The British cyclist developed a friendship with Armstrong prior to his retirement, having raced alongside him throughout their careers. Despite Armstrong being stripped of all seven Tour de France titles after admitting to doping, Wiggins has consistently praised him. Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Wiggins said: 'He's been a great strength to me and a great inspiration to me, and it's on a human level. Lance has been very, very good to me.'
Wiggins, who declared bankruptcy in June 2024 with his company reportedly owing around £1 million, admitted he wished he had sought help earlier. 'I'd never had therapy or counselling during my time as a cyclist because you're perceived as a cyclist ... to be incredibly mentally strong,' he said. 'I was one for not taking on help as well or asking for help. I'm never going to make the same mistake twice.'
The Olympian, whose children Isabella and Ben are involved in British Cycling, acknowledged the difficulty of adapting to life after sport. 'I'm coming up to 10 years to retirement and I knew nothing else other than cycling really,' he said. 'It took me a long time to adapt to normal life.'
