Who is Sir Bradley Wiggins? Team Sky cyclist announced retirement but has rubbished Sir Dave Brailsf ·
Gabriel Cooper SIR BRADLEY WIGGINS is retired from cycling, but he remains and British Olympic legend.
The 41-year-old became Britain's most successful Olympian ever when he won his eighth medal at the Rio Olympics in 2016.
Wiggins became Britain's first Tour de France winner in 2012 and bows out with five Olympic golds, and seven world titles, across track and road cycling, to his name.
But he has dismissed the marginal gains process at the centre of British Cycling's success under Sir Dave Brailsford as "a load of rubbish".
Where was Bradley Wiggins born?
Wiggins was born in Ghent, Belgium, to an Australian father and British mother on April 28, 1980.
He was raised in London from the age of two by mum Linda.
Dad Gary was a professional cyclist who specialised in six-day racing.
When did Bradley get into cycling?
Arsenal fan Wiggins - who had trials at West Ham - first noticed cycling when his mother told him to watch the 1992 Olympics where Chris Bordman won the individual pursuit.
He grew up near the Herne Hill Velodrome and entered his first race aged 12 - the West London Challenge 92.
By 16 he was beginning to make an impact nationally and in 1998 he won three-kilometre individual pursuit at the junior track world championships in Cuba.
What are Bradley Wiggins’ biggest sporting achievements?
Wiggins became the first British rider to win the Tour de France in 2012 - giving cycling a huge boost in popularity in the UK.
He won his first Olympic medal in 2000 - a silver in the team pursuit - and has since added five golds to make him one of his country's greatest ever Olympians.
In 2015 Wiggo smashed the legendary hour record by clocking up 54.526 km.
How is Bradley linked to drug use?
Wiggins' personal medical history was released by a hacker group called the Fancy Bears in 2016.
Questions were raised about his use of Therapeutic Use Exemptions to take banned substances to treat hay-fever.
There has not been any suggestion that Wiggins has used performance-enhancing drugs contrary to the rules of the sport.
How many times has Bradley been named Sports Personality of the Year?
Wiggins picked up his sole SPOTY award in 2012 coming off the back of his Tour de France win and the London Olympics.
His achievements on the road were complemented by a taste in Mod culture which made even him more appealing to voters.
When was Bradley Wiggins knighted?
Wiggins was knighted as part of the 2013 New Year Honours alongside performance director Dave Brailsford and sailor Ben Ainslie among others.
Many more London 2012 athletes were represented in the list after a series of stunning successes on home soil.
What is Bradley Wiggins’ net worth?
Wiggins is worth as estimated £13million thanks to his successes on the track and road.
That places him above all other British cyclists and third among British Olympians from Rio 2016 - behind Andy Murray and Justin Rose.
What business interests does Bradley have?
Wiggins has worked with Fred Perry and also released a range of children's bikes in July 2016.
He also founded his own cycling team in 2015.
The Brit has written four books about his career - In Pursuit of Glory, My Time, My Story and My Hour .
Who is Bradley Wiggins’ wife?
Wiggins met wife Catherine as junior cyclists in 1997 before reconnecting during the 2002 Commonwealth Games.
They have two children together - Ben and Isabella.
His family live in Eccleston, Lancashire close to British Cycling's HQ at the Manchester Velodrome.
What has Bradley said about his retirement?
Wiggins released a statement via Facebook following his decision.
He said: "I have been lucky enough to live a dream and fulfil my childhood aspiration of making a living and a career out of the sport I fell in love with at the age of 12.
"I've met my idols and ridden with and alongside the best for 20 years. I have worked with the world’s best coaches and managers who I will always be grateful to for their support.
"What will stick with me forever is the support and love from the public though thick and thin, all as a result of riding a pushbike for a living. 2012 blew my mind and was a gas.
"Cycling has given me everything and I couldn't have done it without the support of my wonderful wife Cath and our amazing kids."
What is marginal gains?
He told the Telegraph he didn't believe Brailsford's approach yielded benefits, which is all about small incremental improvements in any process adding up to a significant improvement when they are all added together.
Wiggins said: "A lot of people made a lot of money out of it and David Brailsford used it constantly as his calling card, but I always thought it was a load of rubbish.
"Sometimes in life or in sport, whatever, you're either good at something or you're not. That's what makes you a better athlete: your physical ability and whether you've trained enough - not whether you've slept on a certain pillow or mattress."
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