Sir Bradley Wiggins retires from professional cycling

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Vaishali Bhardwaj2 January 2017

Sir Bradley Wiggins has today announced his retirement from professional cycling.

The 36-year-old confirmed the news in a statement released on his Facebook page on Wednesday afternoon, in which he said he had now fulfilled his childhood dreams and felt the time was right to draw a curtain on his illustrious career.

"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," he said.

"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.

"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." #WIGGINS."

Wiggins made history in August after becoming the most decorated British athlete at the Olympics by winning a record eighth medal.

He joined Ed Clancy, Owain Doull and Steven Burke in winning gold in the cycling team pursuit in Rio, which came 16 years after he claimed his first-ever Olympic medal in Sydney.

There, in his first Olympic Games, Wiggins won bronze in the same event alongside Paul Manning, Bryan Steel, and Chris Newton. In total, he has won five golds, one silver, and two Olympic bronze medals.

Wiggins also became the first Briton to win the Tour de France with victory in the competition in 2012.

"I've got to get used to that [being a legend in the spotlight], it's going to take a while," he said after winning the Tour de France.

"I'm just trying to soak it all in. You never imagine it will happen to you but it's amazing."

Wiggins' achievements led to him being knighted for his services to cycling in 2013.

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