After a three-year hiatus from cycling, Sir Bradley Wiggins has returned to the saddle. The cyclist had previously associated the sport with “bad things” and “childhood traumas”. However, after taking time to focus on his mental health and emerging in a better place, Wiggins joined keen amateurs for a 50-mile ride in Stafford. He spoke positively about reconnecting with friends in the sport and feeling as if he has a “second coming” from a cycling point of view.
Despite winning five gold medals in cycling and being the first Briton to win the Tour de France, Wiggins had fallen out of love with cycling. Prior to his recent comeback, he had been vocal about his father’s jealousy and his own experience of being groomed by a coach as a child. In 2024, Wiggins declared bankruptcy, and the national newspapers linked it to financial difficulties with his businesses. However, he no longer blames cycling for any of his hardships and is grateful for the impact it has had on his life.
Before the ride, Wiggins expressed uncertainty about how he would feel back on a bike but said the build-up had been positive. He was eager to let go of the past and the elite side of the sport and enjoy its social element. The event was organized by Project Pau, which supports young riders aged 13-18 in its free cycling academy. A portion of the proceeds went towards cancer charities, a cause that Wiggins supports.
Wiggins believes that cycling has become too expensive for many youngsters, and he is motivated to help make the sport more accessible. Project Pau was a way for him to give back to cycling and to participate in a community of like-minded individuals. Despite his previous experiences in the sport, he is excited to be back on the bike and rediscover the joy in something that has helped shape his life in so many ways
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