Sir Bradley Wiggins has revealed he is checking into a top rehab facility for trauma counselling.
The Olympic gold medallist, 45, who has battled drug addiction and bankruptcy, confirmed disgraced former cyclist Lance Armstrong is funding the move in a bid to turn his life around.
Speaking on his relationship with the US cyclist, during a talk at the Barbican in York, Sir Bradley said: “I still speak to him and see him.
“I’m off to America on Friday. He’s paid for me to go and see a top trauma counselling clinic in Utah so I’m looking forward to that.”
He added: “He’s offered me a role back in cycling, a platform which doesn’t involve me getting on a bike.”
The duo competed together at several events during their careers, including the 2009 Tour de France.
After becoming the first British cyclist to win the Tour de France and earning eight gold medals at the Olympic Games, Sir Bradley retired from the sport in 2016.
He struggled with substance abuse and was officially declared bankrupt in June last year.
Bradley Wiggins has revealed he is checking into a top rehab facility for trauma counselling
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He previously said: “I smashed up my 2012 trophy for Sports Personality of the Year and my knighthood.
“I did that in front of my kids. No wonder they talked about trying to put me in rehab.”
Armstrong was one of cycling’s biggest stars but made headlines in 2013 when he admitted that he had used performance-enhancing drugs during each of his seven Tour de France victories.
He was stripped of all his competitive results and prizes since August 1, 1998, including his record seven consecutive Tour de France titles and his 2000 Olympic bronze medal.
Bradley Wiggins connection to Armstrong dates back to 1993
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Speaking of his once rival, Sir Bradley said: “Lance has been a source of inspiration to me and a constant source of help.
“He is one of the main factors why I’m in this position I am today, mentally and physically, so, I’m indebted to him.”
Sir Bradley’s connection to Armstrong dates back to 1993, when, as a young boy, he watched the American claim the World Championship title.
In a 2018 interview, Wiggins described Armstrong as an “icon” and “the archetypal Tour de France cyclist,” acknowledging the profound influence Armstrong had on his early career.
The two were fierce rivals during the 2009 Tour de France.
Lance Armstrong and Bradley Wiggins in the 169 km and 17th stage of the 2009 Tour de France
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Wiggins finished fourth, though he was later elevated to third after Armstrong was stripped of his results for doping violations.
At the time, Wiggins accepted defeat, saying he had been beaten by “three much better riders”, but later admitted feeling “robbed” of a rightful podium finish following doping charges.
When Armstrong publicly confessed to doping in 2013, Sir Bradley labelled the American a “lying b*****d” and described how Armstrong had a habit of befriending rivals only to “slip the knife in your back.”
As Wiggins faced his personal struggles, Armstrong reportedly stepped in to help.
He urged the public to look beyond Armstrong’s past scandals, saying, “People only hear the bad stuff — but he’s been very, very good to me.”