Bradley Wiggins: Lance Armstrong is iconic whether people like it or not
The first ever British Tour de France winner has given his thoughts on the most infamous name in cycling

Sir Bradley Wiggins and Lance Armstrong go toe-to-toe in the 2009 Tour de France
Photo : Yuzuru SUNADA

Sir Bradley Wiggins said he believes Lance Armstrong is iconic whether people like it or not.
The 2012 Tour winner Wiggins added that he still speaks to Armstrong and has been in contact in recent weeks.
Speaking with talkSPORT radio host Jim White, Wiggins remembers watching Armstrong win the World Championships in 1993 and being inspired to ride his bike.
>>> Floyd Landis plans to start professional cycling team
The first British Tour de France in history said: “I’m not saying he’s an icon.
“Whether people like it or not he’s iconic in some way, good or bad.
"For me, I can’t change the way he made me feel when I was 13. It changed my life.”
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Armstrong’s name continues to resound in the cycling world, even now six years after he was stripped of all of his seven Tour de France titles and banned from the sport for life.
The Texan won each of the Tours de France between 1999 and 2005 before retiring.
He returned to the sport in 2009.
In 2011 Armstrong retired for the last time, saying he wanted to dedicate more time to his family and the fight against cancer.
A year later, Armstrong was stripped of the Tour wins.
In 2013, Armstrong finally confessed to taking banned substances during each of his Tour wins.
Armstrong is now is podcaster, competes in triathlons and owns a bike shop in his home town of Austin, Texas.
World hour record holder Wiggins said he still speaks with Armstrong.
He said: “I know him as a person post-cycling. post what he’s been through.
“I think so much goes on in the world and so many bad things, Lance has paid the price heavily for what he’s done.
“Okay the sport has suffered but he wasn’t alone in that.”
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers. Away from the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
Romain Grégoire descends to take Tour de Suisse opening stage win
The 22 year-old Frenchman attacked the day’s final descent in pouring rain to win from a huge breakaway take the overall lead
-
Tadej Pogačar wins the Critérium du Dauphiné as Lenny Martinez bags the final stage at Plateau du Mont-Cenis
Pogačar lays down a Tour de France marker, comfortably resisting a late attack from Jonas Vignegaard to take the overall honours
-
Bradley Wiggins announces new book: 'The most honest and personal one I've ever written'
Wiggins's latest autobiography, 'The Chain', will be published on 25 October
-
French kit brand Ekoï launches kit collaboration with Bradley Wiggins
Wiggins says partnership is his 'reintroduction to cycling' and marks the second phase of his life
-
'I was doing loads of cocaine... my kids were going to put me into rehab': Bradley Wiggins on recreational drug use, Lance Armstrong's help and finding a new love for cycling
Wiggins opens up on the personal trauma which engulfed him post-retirement and put him in some 'very dangerous' situations after he became addicted to cocaine
-
'Lance has helped me a lot in recent years' - Armstrong offered to pay for Bradley Wiggins' therapy
2012 Tour de France winner says he is in the 'best place' he has been his whole life in interview
-
Claims against bankrupt Sir Bradley Wiggins’s estate double to £2m
Wiggins’s efforts to pursue money through the courts have been paused
-
Mark Cavendish and Bradley Wiggins to reunite on the bike to raise money for US hurricane relief
The British knights will be joined by Jan Ullrich at the Gran Fondo Hincapie next week
-
Bradley Wiggins 'a little bit nervous' as he returns to cycling
Former Tour de France winner set to ride bike again for first time in almost three years
-
'I should have paid more attention to my financial affairs' - Bradley Wiggins opens up about bankruptcy
Former Tour de France winner was declared bankrupt in June