Tour de France Champ Bradley Wiggins Opens Up About Addiction and Path to Recovery

May 13, 2025
Tour de France Champ Bradley Wiggins Opens Up About Addiction and Path to Recovery
  • His addiction has had severe consequences, leading to financial struggles that peaked last year, resulting in bankruptcy and homelessness with debts totaling £2 million.

  • The controversy surrounding the 'Jiffy bag' incident involved a mysterious medical package delivered to Team Sky in 2011, which has yet to be conclusively explained.

  • Wiggins expressed a desire for clarity regarding the contents of the package, stating he has found some peace after the investigation.

  • Despite his tumultuous journey, Wiggins has received recognition from British Cycling, being inducted into their hall of fame for his contributions to the sport.

  • Both Wiggins and fellow athlete Lance Armstrong have highlighted the importance of support and stability as they confront their personal struggles.

  • Wiggins's personal life has also been affected; his marriage to Cath ended in 2020, leaving him to navigate the impact of his addiction on his family, including their two children, Ben and Isabella.

  • Despite these challenges, Wiggins's children have been supportive, with Ben following in his father's footsteps as a junior world champion cyclist.

  • Wiggins's addiction worsened following negative media attention from the 'Jiffy bag' scandal, which raised ethical questions about drug use in cycling.

  • Bradley Wiggins, the 2012 Tour de France winner, has opened up about his struggles with cocaine addiction, describing himself as a 'functioning cocaine addict' since retiring in 2016.

  • Wiggins is learning to better control his actions and emotions, finding solace in cycling again, though he acknowledges that it can trigger memories of past trauma.

  • Wiggins now openly discusses his past, emphasizing that he cannot engage in moderate drinking, as even a single glass of wine could lead him back to drug use.

  • Armstrong has been supportive of Wiggins, even offering to fund his therapy for mental health issues, while Wiggins's son has communicated with Armstrong about his father's well-being.

Summary based on 30 sources


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