The Chain

By: Sir Bradley Wiggins

Narrated by: Paul Thornley

'Back in 2012, everyone knew who Bradley Wiggins was. Everyone, that is, but me. Thirteen years after the summer that defined me, I have finally defined myself. The disguises have gone. I've made peace with myself.'

A WATERSTONES SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR 2025

A GUARDIAN BEST SPORTS BOOK OF 2025

A DAILY TELEGRAPH BEST BOOK OF 2025

'IT'S NOT A LIGHT READ BUT, BLIMEY, IT IS BRILLIANT.' POLLY VERNON, THE TIMES

'DISARMINGLY HONEST AND ROGUISHLY HUMOROUS.' JONATHAN LIEW, THE GUARDIAN

'SUCH A BRAVE BOOK: SUPER OPEN, SUPER HONEST. IT'S GOING TO HELP A LOT OF PEOPLE.' CHRIS EVANS, VIRGIN RADIO

'SEARING AND INSIGHTFUL … HARROWING … COMPELLING …DEFINITELY WORTH READING.' DAVID WALSH, THE SUNDAY TIMES

'RAW AND GRAPHIC' DAILY TELEGRAPH

Think you know Bradley Wiggins? Think again.

Join Bradley Wiggins on a remarkable journey of self-discovery during which he faced his greatest ever opponent – the demons inside his head. He has cast aside his fragile shell and is the person he always wanted to be. Finally, he is happy in his own skin. He has broken the chain.

Bradley Wiggins is the greatest British cyclist of his generation. A national hero on both track and road, he won five Olympic gold medals, eight world titles and the Tour de France.

But his is a story mired in contradiction, controversy, and confusion. Sat on a throne after winning gold at London 2012, just ten days after becoming the first Briton to win the Tour de France, here was a man with the world at his feet. Sporting hero. People’s champion. Legend. Everyone knew who ‘Wiggo’ was. Everyone, that is, but him.

Bradley’s own truth was one of a chaotic and disturbing upbringing characterised by abandonment and abuse. The bike had been his escape but he knew that the second he got out of the saddle he was a shadow-man with no self-belief and even less self-worth.

With zero confidence in his value as a human being, attention was his worst nightmare. Bradley’s answer was to wear a mask. He became ‘Sir Wiggo’, the loveable rogue, the disguise slowly suffocating the real him, crushing the last few remnants of self-esteem.

Bradley descended into a deep personal despair marked by drug addiction. It was his lowest point, and one which, he freely admits, could have resulted in his death.

Bradley’s saviour has been himself. Incredibly he found the strength to embark on a remarkable journey of self-discovery during which he faced his greatest ever opponent – the demons inside his head. In so doing he reached an understanding of what and who he is.

The result is this powerful memoir, The Chain.

It is a journey he now wants to share. He wants others to understand they are not alone in their mental battles; that embracing honesty and openness is the key to personal happiness.

Bradley Wiggins has cast aside his fragile shell. Now, as the person he always wanted to be, he has become an inspiration to us all. Forget the jerseys, the medals. Finally, Bradley Wiggins is who he is, in his own skin. He has broken the chain.

(P)2025 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

'IT'S NOT A LIGHT READ BUT, BLIMEY, IT IS BRILLIANT.' POLLY VERNON, THE TIMES

'SUCH A BRAVE BOOK: SUPER OPEN, SUPER HONEST. IT'S GOING TO HELP A LOT OF PEOPLE.' CHRIS EVANS, VIRGIN RADIO

'SEARING AND INSIGHTFUL … HARROWING … COMPELLING …DEFINITELY WORTH READING.' DAVID WALSH, THE SUNDAY TIMES

'RAW AND GRAPHIC' DAILY TELEGRAPH

Explains so much about what we only saw a bit on the surface. It’s brave to open up like Bradley did here.

Great read! So much explained. Motivates one to give a bit more personal grace. Thanks Bradley!

Healing

A sincere acknowledgement and thank you for sharing your story. As a survivor, your story has echoes of truth that I recognize. Well-wishes to you on your journey.

Incredible Honest & inspiring

Sir Bradley Wiggins lays bare his story and it’s is an incredible look into the life of a world champion.

Total self-absorbed whinefest.

I really wanted to like this book -- hard luck working class boy makes good -- but this was a mostly self-absorbed review on why his life was f'ed up, despite of all his achievements. Conveniently split into alter-ego "Wiggo" and Bradley, I can't help but wonder if "Wiggo" would have written a better book. Lots of people have hard luck stories, but don't go down this path. And yep, "I never failed a test" or t"that wasn't my TUE" didn't hold water for Lance despite many years of denials. The fact that Bradley feels he wasn't worthy of his success does beg the question. Perhaps once day we'll know the whole story. This was not it. Disappointing, but well-narrated by the actor.