“Smashed All My Trophies” – 43-Year-Old Belgian Cyclist Recalls Struggling With Mental Health Due to Turbulent Familial Connections

Weaving a legacy in pro cycling games, Sir Bradley Wiggins’ name has been synonymous to persistent saddleback victories. With countless titles under his belt, the 43-year-old athlete crafted wonders on track races, marking his vivid tenure. But sadly, beyond the glint of medals, the Belgian star’s life course had a tumultuous trajectory, riddled with setbacks and personal battles. 

Fighting disputes beyond his cycling presence, Wiggins found himself entangled by relentless hurdles, suffering mental health issues despite a successful career. Alongside his prestigious triumphs, the saddleback professional recalled being diagnosed with imposter syndrome, triggered by his childhood hardships. Leading to a haunting inability to acknowledge his own wins, the legendary rider recently shared details from his candid battles. 

Cycling sensation faces waves of disruptive battles 

Securing five Olympic golds alongside a silver and two cycling bronzes, Wiggins established his saddleback glory, spotted across five seasons from 2000 to 2016. But fate had its own plans for the unfortunate rider, landing him in between mental struggles. Regrettably, these tough times posed irreversible consequences, with Bradley remembering, “I smashed all my trophies.”

Read More: Three-time US cyclo-cross champion Clara Honsinger marks her return with a homecoming twist 

In a candid take, the cycling star added further clarity to his mental setbacks, notifying how severely it affected his personal and professional lives. Listing the awards he broke, Wiggins noted his BBC Sports Personality of the Year trophy and the knighthood trophy engulfed by his troublesome health condition. 

Subsequently, the diagnosis also led Wiggins to hide his cycling accolades, tucking away the hard-earned Olympic medals in a nondescript carrier bag. While a rollercoaster period in 2019 exacerbated his distress, the pro athlete explained his wife’s health struggles as yet another added weight to his own spiraling state. 

Former pro cyclist shares details from life

As a symbolic act reflecting his inner turmoil, Wiggins recounted destroying the mementos from his cycling wins, but gladly, he overcame these hurdles. Retiring in 2016, the sensational rider joined his role as a Eurosport pundit, although a financial setback of £1 million eventually shadowed his sporting transition. 

Wiggins’ passion for cycling escapades began at an early age, becoming his major distraction from personal troubles. His pedaling journey started from a tumultuous relationship with his father, who seemingly disparaged Bradley while signaling how he could never match his old man. 

Significantly, the hurtful jabs of his cyclist father left a brutal impact on the iconic player’s mind, recorded when he was just 19. However, showcasing true prowess in cycling races, Wiggins remembered being fueled by that very comment from his dad, driving him to unparalleled heights in the following games. 

Remarkably, the Belgian icon’s cycling enthusiasm transcended further when his son, Ben, chose to follow his pedaling trail. With a possible contendership at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, he hoped to maintain his father’s undeniable reputation. However, as a champion racer, Sir Bradley Wiggins did not just inspire his son but also helped generations of future athletes. 

Watch This Story: “That is how you inspire the next generation” – Unexpected souvenir from a pro cyclist at a Jumbo-Visma race makes a young fan’s day