Sir Bradley Wiggins' retirement will focus on nurturing next generation
By Orla Chennaoui and Matt Westby
Last Updated: 11/03/16 6:15pm
Sir Bradley Wiggins has revealed his life after retirement will revolve around making cycling accessible for children, nurturing up-and-coming British talent and going riding "with the masses".
The 35-year-old plans to quit professional cycling at the end of this year after racing at the Olympic Games in Rio in August, the Tour of Britain in September and then the London and Gent six-day track meetings later in the autumn.
Wiggins has already laid the foundations for retirement by setting up his eponymous team, WIGGINS, but he is also keen to develop new business ventures in children's cycling.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Sky Sports, he said: "There are so many things at the moment that are in the pipeline, but it won't be one main thing.
"I wanted to put a really good kids' racing bike out there for kids under 14; 10-year-olds, eight-year-olds, right down to balance bikes for kids.
"I have developed that range for Halfords, which we are launching this year, and that is going to take up a lot of time in the next five years, and also I'm heavily involved with Rapha. I'm wanting to do kids' cycle clothing.
"But also the team is going to continue to function, and I want to continue to help inspire the next generation and be around races with those guys, but not doing it in a competitive sense.
"Cycling is a part of my life; it always has been and I will always continue to cycle. I won't be doing it on the world stage, doing it competitively, but I'll still be out on the weekend with the masses riding around Richmond Park in my Team Sky jersey or whatever. I just love it."
WIGGINS were established at the start of 2015 and have already enjoyed success on both the road and track, with their most high-profile achievements being Owain Doull finishing third at last year's Tour of Britain and Jon Dibben winning gold in the points race at last week's UCI Track Cycling World Championships.
Wiggins took satisfaction from playing a part in those successes and is keen to repeat them in coming seasons.
He added: "I wanted to have a longer-lasting legacy, something that was more meaningful, and watching Jon win the points race last week, it was a sense of pride that I had played some small part in that.
"Owain as well at the Tour of Britain last year - helping in some small way with those guys. Hopefully they will be Olympic champions in a few months' time, and then we'll take the next generation on.
"It just feels more of a meaningful legacy. I wanted to have a greater impact. I enjoy seeing other people do well, and having played a part in that, so I want to do more of that."
Watch Sky Sports' full interview with Sir Bradley Wiggins via On Demand now.
