Sir Bradley Wiggins thanks Lance Armstrong for help in battling drug addiction
The 2012 Tour de France winner is now 12 months sober and attends regular therapy sessions, but paid tribute to the role of Armstrong, who was stripped of his cycling titles for using performance-enhancing drugs.
Asked about Armstrong, Wiggins told BBC Five Live: 'He's been a great strength to me and a great inspiration to me, and it's on a human level.
'Lance has been very, very good to me. That's not something everyone wants to hear because people only like to hear the bad stuff.
'You can only take someone how they treat you and Lance has been a source of inspiration to me and a constant source of help towards me. And is one of the main factors why I'm in this position I am today mentally and physically, so, I'm indebted to him for that.'
Wiggins admitted he does not speak with Armstrong every day, but will work for him this summer on his podcast The Move at the Tour de France.
The 45-year-old father-of-two has been candid since retirement about the sexual abuse he experienced as a teenager and his drug addiction.
'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,' Wiggins explained.
'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.
'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.'
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Glasgow Times
7 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Dave Brailsford was seen as a messiah. Then came the fall from grace
His methods were lauded as being the gold standard of sports' coaching and management. The term 'marginal gains' seeped into the day-to-day lexicon across the sporting world. Sports teams not just the length-and-breadth of the UK but globally, began trying to mimic the Englishman's approach. Behemoths in the sporting world were knocking down Brailsford's door in an attempt to capture just a little bit of his magic for themselves. Brailsford became Sir Dave. Team Sky, at which Brailsford was at the helm, kick-started a revolution in cycling in this country due, in no small part, by the fact it produced, in Bradley Wiggins, Britain's first-ever winner of the Tour de France. And Team Sky, led by Brailsford, was seen as a major player in changing the face of cycling internationally. No longer was it a drug-fuelled battle of the pharmacists; instead, this was a clean, doping-free era of the sport. Brailsford could, it seemed, do no wrong. It's little wonder he was seen like this - six Tour de France titles in seven years for Team Sky riders (Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas followed Wiggins into the yellow jersey and onto the top step of the podium on the Champs Élysées) and 16 Olympic gold medals over only two Games made British cycling the toast of the sporting world. What a difference, then, a decade can make. Brailsford (l) had great success with Chris Froome (r) at the Tour de France (Image: Bryn Lennon/ Getty Images) When one flies as high as Brailsford did, there's always the risk of falling back to earth with an almighty bang. And this is exactly what's happened. Brailsford, and Team Sky, are no longer seen as 'perfect'. Indeed, the list of negative stories associated with Team Sky as a whole, and specifically surrounding Brailsford, is growing with every passing moment, and it's a list that's becoming impossible to ignore. First there's the 'jiffy bag' story, which dates all the way back to 2011. Apparently, a jiffy bag of substances was delivered from the UK to France, with the contents to be passed to Team Sky's golden boy at the time, Bradley Wiggins. All at Team Sky, including Brailsford himself, claimed the substance inside the jiffy bag was entirely legal but a decade-and-a-half on, we still don't definitively know what was in there. Then came the stories of the use of Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) forms for Team Sky's top riders, which gave them a medical exemption to take substances that would otherwise be prohibited. It seemed, rather than genuine medical issues, Team Sky's medical team was cynically exploiting TUEs for their own gains. It was around this time that a parliamentary select committee accused Team Sky of 'crossing an ethical line'. There's the dishing out of the pain medication Tramadol, which was subsequently banned, and there's the four-year suspension of former Team Sky and British Cycling doctor, Richard Freeman, for violating anti-doping rules. The latest revelation about Team Sky, which was rebranded Team Ineos in 2019 and is now Ineos Grenadiers, is equally unflattering. During this year's Tour de France, at which Ineos Grenadiers finished sixth in the team standings and their best rider, Thymen Arensman, was 12th overall, yet another hugely damaging story about Team Sky emerged. David Rozman, a long-time member of the team in his role as team 'carer' (which means he gives massages and carries out other support duties) was forced to leave France mid-race after allegations were made by German TV station ARD that, in 2012, he exchanged messages with the notorious German doping doctor, Mark Schmidt, who has since been convicted of leading a sophisticated doping ring involving multiple cyclists and skiers. One of the messages Rozman sent to Schmidt just weeks before the 2012 Tour said: 'Do you still have any of the stuff that Milram [Schmidt's disgraced former team] used during the races? If so, can you bring it for the boys?' Of course, this in itself isn't proof that anything nefarious was going on. But still, it's not a great look. And it's just the latest nail in the reputational coffin of Brailsford and Team Sky. Brailsford had, in recent years, gradually moved away from cycling. After Jim Ratcliffe (the founder of Ineos) invested in Manchester United, he brought Brailsford in as director of sport but the Englishman was less than convincing in that role and after an underwhelming season this year, quietly left that position just weeks ago. Which was, incidentally, just prior to it emerging that the now-disgraced Rozman worked, for a short time, at Manchester United. Brailsford alongside Jim Ratcliffe (l) It's not the departure Brailsford would have envisaged. So how has Brailsford gone from being seen as a cycling messiah to what he is now, a hugely tainted and far from universally admired figure? It seems that although Team Sky achieved many admirable things, they just might not have been quite as squeaky-clean as Brailsford would have had us all believe. We all fell hook, line and sinker for the marginal gains theory when, in fact, taking a step back, it becomes clear that bringing your own pillows to a race isn't going to make quite the difference we were led to believe it would. Brailsford isn't an instantly likeable individual, either. I never quite took to him, although he certainly had an aura. I remember seeing him walking around the Athletes' Village at the London 2012 Olympics - which came just as Brailsford was beginning to achieve superstar status - and the arrogance was almost palpable. Certainly, Brailsford's apparent cockiness was not unfounded. He was widely hailed as one of sport's great thinkers and was being treated as a celebrity in exactly the same manner the athletes were. But he also obviously revelled in being treated as a sporting superstar when it's now widely acknowledged that he is far from a cycling expert. Brailsford is 61 now. Following his departure from Manchester United - he's remains a director but has stepped back from day-to-day duties - he has reportedly returned to his first love, cycling, where he will return to a hands-on role at Ineos Grenadiers. He may well have further success now he's back in cycling, although it's hugely unlikely he ever scales the same heights either results-wise, or reputation-wise, that he managed a decade-or-so ago. Whatever happens, Brailsford's reputation is tarnished, and pretty seriously in many people's eyes. It's always the danger, isn't it, of building yourself up to being perfect. Sooner or later, you'll be found out not to be.
Wales Online
9 hours ago
- Wales Online
40stone dad too fat to fit in car loses half his body weight
40stone dad too fat to fit in car loses half his body weight James, 38, has now finished six triathlons and three marathons James Baker, before his weight loss A man who was too fat to fit behind the steering wheel of his car after reaching almost 40st eating 6,000 calories a day has shed more than half his body weight and become a triathlete. James Baker, 38, was bursting out of a size XXXXXXL at his heaviest and was forced to swap cars with his girlfriend, after he could no longer fit in his Vauxhall Astra. It proved to be the kickstart James needed and in September 2022 he underwent a gastric sleeve - surgery that removes a significant portion of the stomach leading to reduced intake to promote weight loss. James took up exercise – started walking, cycling and swimming – and swapped his junk food and high calorie diet for healthier high protein meals and in 14 months lost 19st 7lbs - and now weighs a much healthier 18st 7lbs and can slip into a size XL with ease. With his waist shrinking from 60ins to 38ins, James continued on his fitness journey and completed his first triathlon - a multi-sport endurance race involving swimming, cycling, and running - in May 2023. Despite coming in last place, James said it was "one of the best things I ever did" and has gone on to do six Olympic distance triathlons, as well as three marathons. James used to eat 6,000 calories a day He has finally been able to take back ownership of his faithful Vauxhall Astra and is eager to compete in his next competition, the Cotswold 51 Five in May 2026. Dad-of-four James, an IT consultant, from Stroud, Gloucestershire, said: "I've always been a bit bigger than my peers. "As I got into adult life it spiralled a little bit. At the end of 2022, I got up to being 38st. I had to swap cars with my partner. For me really the whole car thing, not being able to get in the car, I thought if this carries on I'm not going to be around for my children much longer. Article continues below 'That was the real big catalyst realising I couldn't get into the car without having to breathe in and tuck myself in the steering wheel. I've got two children of my own and two step-kids. They're young and it got to the point where playing with them became difficult because of my size. James Baker now completes triathlons and marathons "I couldn't buy clothes in shops, and the clothes I was buying online were becoming more difficult to find because of the size I was'. James researched procedures and decided to undergo the gastric sleeve surgery in May 2023 – flying to Cairo, Egypt and paying £5,000 for the procedure funded through personal savings. He said: "I had my surgery in September 2022 and in the May of 2023 I did an Olympic distance triathlon with a friend of mine, Aaron Gwilt, 38 who did a lot of endurance stuff already. I can honestly say it was one of the best things I ever did'. James was going to work as an IT consultant one morning when he began to struggle getting in and out of his car. After requesting help with his weight through the NHS, he was put into a year-long weight management clinic before he could qualify for weight loss surgery. James was once too fat to drive his own car James did not meet the required body fat loss on the course to qualify for a gastric sleeve, and says he 'didn't feel I'd learned anything to teach me about nutrition'. Looking elsewhere, James booked a gastric sleeve in Cairo, Egypt, in September 2022 for £5,000, flying out with a friend and his boss at the time to have the surgery together. After spending five days in Egypt for the op, James began the quick recovery at home and started transforming his diet. He was only allowed to have clear fluid for a while, then pureed food, then food to be mashed, solid foods 8-12 weeks. Gorging on fast food and even having a snack drawer in the office, James would eat up to 6,000 calories every day, eating crisps, chocolate and fizzy drinks at work before going to fast food restaurants on his way home. He said: "Before I would eat things like McDonald's and Burger King quite often. I would wake up and think 'I'll have a Burger King today'. I'd find a way of having it, even if it might mean driving out of my way so I could have it. "I'd then get home and eat a second dinner with my family. I'd constantly be reaching for snacks and comfort foods before bed like crisps chocolate bars and cakes. There would be times when we'd be watching the TV and if we didn't have anything in, I'd drive to the shops for a chocolate bar. James has lost half his body weight 'But it wouldn't be a normal size one, it would be a share size. Now if I'm training first thing in the morning I'll go for a run or a training session. Breakfast is something along the lines of granola and yoghurt. "I generally then don't eat until later in the afternoon. That will be things like one or two eggs with a slice of toast, or a small jacket potato with a filling. In the evening I'll have my dinner but again it consists of something protein based like diced chicken with tikka paste in a pitta bread. "Quite often my evening snack is what is left from dinner as I don't eat it all." James underwent gastric sleeve surgery Article continues below After coming last place in his first triathlon, James caught the bug and joined his local club two years ago. He said: "As I was running down the finishing line they were packing up around me. I've since progressed to middle distance. "I did the Manchester marathon in 2024. In total I've done six Olympic distance triathlons. My family been amazing to be honest. The other day I had a training run I needed to do and my son was also going to train, he wanted to do a run. 'Being able to do something like that, I'd never have been able to do before. Things like going to the park, when I was bigger I'd have to stop and need places to sit down. Sometimes I have to slow down and wait for other people where as before I was the one having to stop'.
Daily Mirror
9 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
'I was too fat to drive, now I've finished six triathlons and three marathons'
At his heaviest James weighed 40stone, wore XXXXXXL tyops and had a 60 inch waist A man who was too fat to fit behind the steering wheel of his car after reaching almost 40st eating 6,000 calories a day has shed more than half his body weight and become a triathlete. James Baker, 38, was bursting out of a size XXXXXXL at his heaviest and was forced to swap cars with his girlfriend, after he could no longer fit in his Vauxhall Astra. It proved to be the kickstart James needed and in September 2022 he underwent a gastric sleeve - surgery that removes a significant portion of the stomach leading to reduced intake to promote weight loss. James took up exercise – started walking, cycling and swimming – and swapped his junk food and high calorie diet for healthier high protein meals and in 14 months lost 19st 7lbs - and now weighs a much healthier 18st 7lbs and can slip into a size XL with ease. With his waist shrinking from 60ins to 38ins, James continued on his fitness journey and completed his first triathlon - a multi-sport endurance race involving swimming, cycling, and running - in May 2023. Despite coming in last place, James said it was "one of the best things I ever did" and has gone on to do six Olympic distance triathlons, as well as three marathons. He has finally been able to take back ownership of his faithful Vauxhall Astra and is eager to compete in his next competition, the Cotswold 51 Five in May 2026. Dad-of-four James, an IT consultant, from Stroud, Gloucestershire, said: "I've always been a bit bigger than my peers. "As I got into adult life it spiralled a little bit. At the end of 2022, I got up to being 38st. I had to swap cars with my partner. For me really the whole car thing, not being able to get in the car, I thought if this carries on I'm not going to be around for my children much longer. 'That was the real big catalyst realising I couldn't get into the car without having to breathe in and tuck myself in the steering wheel. I've got two children of my own and two step-kids. They're young and it got to the point where playing with them became difficult because of my size. "I couldn't buy clothes in shops, and the clothes I was buying online were becoming more difficult to find because of the size I was'. James researched procedures and decided to undergo the gastric sleeve surgery in May 2023 – flying to Cairo, Egypt and paying £5,000 for the procedure funded through personal savings. He said: "I had my surgery in September 2022 and in the May of 2023 I did an Olympic distance triathlon with a friend of mine, Aaron Gwilt, 38 who did a lot of endurance stuff already. I can honestly say it was one of the best things I ever did'. James was going to work as an IT consultant one morning when he began to struggle getting in and out of his car. After requesting help with his weight through the NHS, he was put into a year-long weight management clinic before he could qualify for weight loss surgery. James did not meet the required body fat loss on the course to qualify for a gastric sleeve, and says he 'didn't feel I'd learned anything to teach me about nutrition'. Looking elsewhere, James booked a gastric sleeve in Cairo, Egypt, in September 2022 for £5,000, flying out with a friend and his boss at the time to have the surgery together. After spending five days in Egypt for the op, James began the quick recovery at home and started transforming his diet. He was only allowed to have clear fluid for a while, then pureed food, then food to be mashed, solid foods 8-12 weeks. Gorging on fast food and even having a snack drawer in the office, James would eat up to 6,000 calories every day, eating crisps, chocolate and fizzy drinks at work before going to fast food restaurants on his way home. He said: "Before I would eat things like McDonald's and Burger King quite often. I would wake up and think 'I'll have a Burger King today'. I'd find a way of having it, even if it might mean driving out of my way so I could have it. "I'd then get home and eat a second dinner with my family. I'd constantly be reaching for snacks and comfort foods before bed like crisps chocolate bars and cakes. There would be times when we'd be watching the TV and if we didn't have anything in, I'd drive to the shops for a chocolate bar. 'But it wouldn't be a normal size one, it would be a share size. Now if I'm training first thing in the morning I'll go for a run or a training session. Breakfast is something along the lines of granola and yoghurt. "I generally then don't eat until later in the afternoon. That will be things like one or two eggs with a slice of toast, or a small jacket potato with a filling. In the evening I'll have my dinner but again it consists of something protein based like diced chicken with tikka paste in a pitta bread. "Quite often my evening snack is what is left from dinner as I don't eat it all." After coming last place in his first triathlon, James caught the bug and joined his local club two years ago. He said: "As I was running down the finishing line they were packing up around me. I've since progressed to middle distance. "I did the Manchester marathon in 2024. In total I've done six Olympic distance triathlons. My family been amazing to be honest. The other day I had a training run I needed to do and my son was also going to train, he wanted to do a run. 'Being able to do something like that, I'd never have been able to do before. Things like going to the park, when I was bigger I'd have to stop and need places to sit down. Sometimes I have to slow down and wait for other people where as before I was the one having to stop'.
