11/18/2025
Recovery is a team sport.
Sir Bradley Wiggins, the former Tour de France winner and five-time Olympic gold medallist, is set to enter a specialised trauma rehabilitation clinic in the United States as he continues to address ongoing mental health and substance use challenges.
The centre, located in Utah, will be funded by fellow ex-professional cyclist Lance Armstrong, who has also offered additional support and opportunities to help Wiggins during his recovery journey.
Since retiring from competitive cycling in December 2016, Wiggins has openly discussed his struggles, describing himself as having become a "functioning addict" and sharing the personal battles he has faced post-retirement. During a public event at the Barbican in York, he confirmed plans to travel to the U.S. on Friday to receive focused trauma therapy aimed at tackling the root causes behind his mental health and substance use difficulties.
Wiggins highlighted that he stays in regular contact with Armstrong and expressed gratitude for both the financial and practical support. He said, "I still speak to him and see him. He's paid for me to go and see a top trauma counselling clinic in Utah, so I'm looking forward to that." He also mentioned that Armstrong has offered him a non-competitive role within cycling, describing it as a "platform" that could support his recovery and future involvement in the sport.
This step reflects a growing movement in elite sports to address mental health openly and provide specialised care. Experts emphasise that trauma-informed therapy can be vital for former athletes dealing with identity loss, chronic pain, and the pressures that sometimes lead to self-medication after high-performance careers. Wiggins’ public decision to seek treatment may inspire other athletes to pursue help and reduce the stigma around mental health and addiction in sports.
"I want to get better and be in a place where I can give something back," Wiggins said. "Going to a specialist clinic feels like the right step. I’m grateful to Lance for making this possible and to everyone who has supported me."
Throughout his career, Wiggins became one of Britain’s most celebrated cyclists, achieving a Tour de France victory in 2012 and earning five Olympic gold medals across track and road events. Since retiring, he has remained involved in the cycling community through mentorship and media work, while prioritising his recovery and overall wellbeing.
