Bradley Wiggins Claims Team Sky Betrayed Him Amidst Doping Allegations

Sir Bradley Wiggins has made significant revelations regarding Team Sky’s handling of doping allegations. He stated that the team “chucked him under a bus,” reflecting his frustration over how they managed his situation amidst ongoing investigations. These comments came during an interview with The Times ahead of the release of his new book, The Chain.

Controversy Surrounding Doping Allegations

A key aspect of Wiggins’s narrative involves a package allegedly received by former Team Sky doctor Richard Freeman during the Critérium du Dauphiné in 2011. This package was investigated to determine whether it contained Fluimucil, a legal decongestant, or a banned substance. The inquiry lasted 14 months but yielded few answers, leaving lingering questions about the team’s practices.

• Key Individuals: Bradley Wiggins, Richard Freeman, Sir Dave Brailsford
• Key Events: Critérium du Dauphiné 2011, 14-month inquiry, House of Commons select committee testimony
• Findings: Committee’s belief that drugs were used under WADA rules for performance enhancement

Back in 2018, Brailsford confirmed to the House of Commons that the package was indeed Fluimucil, but doubts about the team’s ethics remained. The select committee reported that drugs were likely used to enhance riders’ performance, sparking debate about the use of therapeutic use exemptions (TUEs) by the team and its athletes.

Freeman’s Doping Ban and Wiggins’s Struggles

Freeman, meanwhile, received a four-year doping ban due to his involvement in ordering banned substances for British Cycling in 2011. Wiggins expressed a desire to uncover the truth behind the controversies. He recalled being at the podium in Dauphiné and felt misrepresented in the narrative surrounding the package.

Wiggins has also openly discussed his struggles with addiction and past traumas. He revealed in his book that he was groomed and sexually abused by his coach at the age of 13. These issues have shaped his life and career significantly.

Reflections on Addiction

In The Chain, Wiggins described a moment during the 2012 London Olympics when he was using cocaine while reflecting on his achievements. He candidly shared his feelings of self-destruction and disillusionment after winning major events, including the Olympic gold medal and Tour de France.

He is currently in recovery, participating in Narcotics Anonymous and maintaining sobriety from alcohol. Wiggins mentioned his dedication to a structured daily routine, emphasizing the importance of fitness in his recovery.

Personal and Professional Comeback

Despite past challenges, Wiggins is now experiencing a career resurgence. He reported being out of bankruptcy, working more than ever, and enjoying newfound financial stability. “I’m earning more money than I’ve earned in the past six years,” he stated. His journey from homelessness to owning a house exemplifies his resilience.

Wiggins’s story of navigating doping allegations and personal struggles highlights the complexity of life as a professional athlete. His candidness serves as an important reflection on accountability and redemption in the sporting world.