Sir Bradley Wiggins is a retired British professional cyclist, revered as one of the most accomplished athletes in the history of cycling.
Born on April 28, 1980, in Ghent, Belgium, Wiggins made history in 2012 when he became the first British cyclist to win the prestigious Tour de France. Renowned for his outstanding achievements in both road and track cycling, his career is a testament to exceptional talent, perseverance and versatility.
File
- Full name: Mr. Bradley Marc Wiggins
- Nickname: Wiggo
- Date of birth: April 28, 1980
- Age: 44 years old
- Gender: Male
- Place of birth: Gent, Belgium
- Nationality: English
- Occupation: Professional cyclist (road and track)
- Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.90 m)
- Parents: Gary Wiggins (father), Linda Wiggins (mother)
- Siblings: Not applicable
- Spouse: Cathryn Wiggins
- Children: Ben Wiggins, Isabella Wiggins and a child from a previous relationship
- Relationship status: Married
- Religion: Not applicable
- Ethnicity: Not applicable
- Net worth: £3 million
Early life and education
Born on 28 April 1980 in Ghent, Belgium, Bradley Wiggins is the son of Australian cyclist Gary Wiggins and British mother Linda Wiggins. After his parents divorced, he moved to London with his mother, growing up in a single-parent family. Despite financial challenges and family instability, his mother encouraged his passion for cycling.
Wiggins’ interest in the sport began after watching Chris Boardman win a gold medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. This inspired him to begin competitive cycling at the age of 12. He He honed his skills at the Herne Hill Velodrome in London and specialized in track events such as the Madison and individual pursuits. By the age of 18, he had won the world junior title in the individual pursuit.
Personal life
Bradley Wiggins married Cathryn Wiggins in 2010 and the couple have three children together: Ben, Isabella and a child from a previous relationship. Despite his public sports career, Wiggins maintains a relatively private family life.
He has been open about his struggles with mental health, describing how the pressures of fame and high-level competition have affected him. After retiring, he became an advocate for mental health awareness among athletes.
Career
Wiggins turned professional in 2001 with French team Française des Jeux and later joined other prominent teams, including Crédit Agricole and Team Sky. Initially achieving success on the track, he won many world titles and Olympic medals.
- Olympic debut: Sydney 2000won the bronze medal in the team pursuit event.
- Breakthrough year: In 2012, Wiggins became the first Briton to win the award Tour de France and followed that up with a gold medal in the Olympic individual time trial, cementing his legacy.
During his career, he won eight Olympic medals, including five gold, becoming Britain’s most decorated Olympian until Jason Kenny surpassed him. He retired from professional cycling in 2016 and has since pursued various business ventures, including social work training.
prize
- BBC Sports Personality of the Year (2012)
- CBE (Commander of the British Empire) for services to cycling (2013)
- Olympic Gold Medal (2004, 2008, 2012)
- World champion titles in many disciplines
- Tour de France winner (2012)
Net worth
Sir Bradley Wiggins’ net worth is estimated at £3 million, largely thanks to his cycling career, endorsements and post-retirement appearances.
Argumentative
Wiggins’ career has faced intense scrutiny, particularly in relation to doping allegations. In 2016, it was revealed that he had received a therapeutic use exemption (TUE) for a corticosteroid before major races, including the Tour de France. Critics question whether the exemption is legal or used to gain a competitive advantage.
The controversy raised concerns about transparency within Team Sky (now Ineos Grenadiers) and the ethics of cycling in general. Wiggins has denied wrongdoing but faces constant scrutiny.
After retiring, Wiggins spoke candidly about his struggles with mental health and adjusting to life after cycling. In 2023, reports emerged of financial challenges, including possible bankruptcy due to unsuccessful business ventures.
Social Media
- Twitter: @bradwiggins
- Instagram: Not applicable
Book
- My Time (2012)
- Icon (2014)
