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| Sir Bradley Wiggins | |
|---|---|
| Name | Bradley Wiggins |
| Caption | Wiggins at the 2015 Tour de France |
| Birth date | 28 April 1980 |
| Birth place | Ghent, Belgium |
| Occupation | Professional cyclist (retired) |
| Nationality | British |
| Height | 1.90 m |
| Weight | 69 kg |
| Spouse | Catherine Wiggins |
| Honours | Knight Bachelor |
Sir Bradley Wiggins Sir Bradley Wiggins is a retired British road and track cyclist, Olympic champion and Grand Tour winner who combined endurance and time-trial skills across multiple disciplines. He rose from junior competition through national programmes to dominate British UCI Track World Championships events and later won the Tour de France and Olympic gold at London 2012. Wiggins became a central figure in 21st-century British cycling alongside contemporaries from Team Sky, British Cycling, and the national Olympic squad.
Wiggins was born in Ghent to an Australian mother and British father; his early upbringing included time in Kilburn and Maida Vale. He is the son of former track cyclist and Tour de France participant Gary Wiggins and grew up amid influences from Belgium, Australia, England and the Anglo-Australian cycling scene. Young Wiggins developed through local clubs connected to Paddington and London borough programmes before entering junior competition under coaches linked to British Cycling and the National Lottery funding era. Early mentors included figures associated with the National Track Squad and regional coaches who had worked with riders at Manchester Velodrome.
Wiggins progressed through junior ranks into U23 competition, riding for development teams associated with Great Britain and later signing with continental squads before joining prominent professional teams. Early affiliations included stints with Linda McCartney Racing Team alumni networks, development programmes tied to RIAS, and moves into French cycling and Belgian racing circuits. His break came with selection for national teams at World Championships and representation at the Commonwealth Games pathway; he later turned fully professional with squads that included Vitoria-ASC, FDJ, and clubs that fed talent into Team Sky.
Wiggins achieved major success on the velodrome, winning titles at the UCI Track World Championships, multiple Olympic medals at Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008 before his peak at London 2012. He won Olympic golds in the individual pursuit and team pursuit events, forming partnerships with riders from Ed Clancy, Geraint Thomas, Chris Hoy and Sir Chris Hoy-era squads. His world titles included victories over rivals from Australia, Germany, France and Netherlands. Wiggins' track pedigree was central to British dominance at velodromes such as Manchester Velodrome and helped justify investments by British Cycling and performance director Dave Brailsford.
On the road, Wiggins transitioned into time trials and stage racing, winning prologue and individual time trial events at stage races like the Critérium du Dauphiné, Paris–Nice, and the Tour of Britain. He joined Team Sky and developed under directeur sportifs including Bradley McGee-era staff and management from Dave Brailsford, collaborating with teammates such as Chris Froome, Geraint Thomas, Richie Porte, and Mark Cavendish on Grand Tour campaigns. His road programme culminated in winning the Tour de France while combining mountainous stages, team support strategies, and individual time trial performances that outstripped rivals from Spain, Italy, Colombia, and Slovenia.
Wiggins' palmarès include overall victory at the Tour de France (first British winner), Olympic gold medals at London 2012, multiple UCI Track World Championships titles, victories in the Criterium du Dauphiné and the Tour of California time trial stages, and British national championships in the time trial. He set British and world-best efforts in pursuit disciplines and held records in the individual pursuit and team pursuit against competitors from Australia, Russia, Germany, and New Zealand. His Grand Tour and classics results placed him among contemporaries like Alberto Contador, Vincenzo Nibali, Chris Froome, and Fabian Cancellara in the 2000s–2010s era.
Wiggins received multiple honours including appointment as Knight Bachelor for services to cycling, recognition at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards, and civic accolades from Mayor of London-era institutions and national honours lists. He was celebrated by British Olympic Association delegations and received awards from bodies such as UCI and national federations; he also featured in lists compiled by The Times and sports organisations acknowledging influential athletes. Legacy recognition includes induction into national sports halls and portraiture and exhibitions in galleries connected to National Portrait Gallery-style institutions.
Wiggins has been open about family background, parenting, and residence in Wiltshire and London areas; he is married to Catherine Wiggins and has children. His career attracted media attention over equipment choices and training methods connected to Team Sky and debates involving figures like Dave Brailsford and teammates such as Chris Froome. Controversies included media scrutiny over alleged therapeutic use exemptions, team performance strategies, and disputes reported by outlets such as BBC Sport, The Guardian, and The Telegraph. Wiggins has since retired from professional cycling and engaged in broadcasting, charity events, and occasional competitive appearances linked to veteran and celebrity races associated with organisations like Cycling UK.
Category:British cyclists Category:Knights Bachelor