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Sir Bradley Wiggins retires

Ross Dunbar
December 28, 2016

Sir Bradley Wiggins has announced his retirement from professional cycling at the age of 36. He won five Olympic gold medals and became the first Briton to win the Tour de France in 2012.

https://p.dw.com/p/2UyF7
Rio Momente 13 08 Bahnrad Bradley Wiggins Großbritannien mit fünfter Goldmedaille
Image: Getty Images/B. Lennon

Wiggins became Great Britain's most-decorated Olympian at the Rio Games in 2016, winning his fifth gold medal and eighth Olympic medal.

The zenith of Wiggins' career was in 2012 when he ended Great Britain's 99-year search for a Tour de France winner. A few weeks later, he won gold at London 2012, earning the prestigious BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.

The 36-year-old, knighted for his services to sport in 2013, confirmed he was bringing an end to his highly successful career on his official Facebook page.

"I have been lucky enough to live a dream and fulfill my childhood aspiration of making a living and a career out of the sport I fell in love with at the age of 12," Wiggins wrote.

"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.

"2016 is the end of the road for this chapter, onwards and upwards, 'feet on the ground, head in the clouds' kids from Kilburn don't win Olympic golds and Tour de Frances'! They do now."