Sir Bradley Wiggins reveals disgraced cycling icon Lance Armstrong’s role as his ‘inspiration’ in helping him through cocaine addiction and bankruptcy

Five-time Olympic gold medalist Sir Bradley Wiggins has expressed his gratitude to disgraced former cyclist Lance Armstrong for helping him get through dark times.

Britain’s first Tour de France champion revealed earlier this year that he had struggled with a drug addiction following his retirement from the sport in 2016. 

Wiggins had reportedly built at £13million fortune at the peak of his fame but last year a company controlled by him was reported to have debts totaling around £1million.

After failing his individual voluntary agreement (IVA) to pay back the money he owed, he was declared bankrupt and reportedly left homeless at one stage.

Wiggins has previously spoken of how Armstrong has come to his aid in recent years. 

The American was stripped out his seven Tour de France title after confessing to doping during his career. 

And speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, 45-year-old Wiggins said he was indebted to a man who has been a source of inspiration to him. 

‘He’s been a great strength to me and a great inspiration to me, and it’s on a human level,’ Wiggins said.

‘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.’

Asked how often the pair speak, Wiggins said: ‘I won’t say every day, but I work for him.’

He was referring to his work on Armstrong’s podcast The Move, where he will be covering this summer’s Tour de France.