Since his retirement, Wiggins has spoken about his father’s jealousy and being groomed by a coach as a child, while he was also declared bankrupt in June 2024.
Speaking last month, Wiggins detailed the extent of the cocaine addiction he developed after his retirement from cycling and explained how his family members feared for him.
In his interview with the BBC, Wiggins said he had wanted to be the “teller of my story”.
“We are all humans at the end of the day and it is a human story and I’ve had lots of events in my life that informed the problems I had in my life post-cycling,” he said.
“I’d never had therapy or counselling during my time as a cyclist because you’re perceived as a cyclist – or certainly when you’re an Olympic champion or the Tour de France winner – to be incredibly mentally strong.”
Wiggins won Olympic gold medals on the track at the 2004, 2008 and 2016 Games, and also won the road time trial at London 2012, two weeks after winning the Tour de France.
“I was one for not taking on help as well or asking for help,” he added.
“I’m never going to make the same mistake twice, so I’ve sort of vowed that to myself. I’ve learned from the past.
“I’m coming up to 10 years to retirement and I knew nothing else other than cycling really, and having everything done for you on a daily basis.
“It took me a long time to adapt to normal life, as it were, and all the things that contribute to keeping me in a steady place.”
