The enigmatic Bradley Wiggins
Brad Wiggins is an enigma. There is a lot about him that makes him easy to dislike. That mopey, Pete Townshend look on his face and mop hairdo are the low-hanging fruit in this case, with the length of his socks being there to round out the podium in a close third. Also, he dropped Bont for Giro, which is unacceptable mostly because the Giros make his feet look like dolphin flippers. And don’t get me started on the beard.
His Tour de France win in 2012 was probably the least interesting of this century; the standout memory from that event being the rumours of back-of-the-bus catfights between him and Chris Froome. I’m picturing something out of the broom scene in Fantasia, which almost makes up for how crap the actual race was.
When he targeted Paris-Roubaix this year I was haunted by visions of him sitting on some hideous throne while trying to hoist that beautiful cobble over his head. Fans at the roadside were waving WIGGO flags around that had a cobblestone on it, which made me want to stop and start drinking simultaneously.
I’ve never been a fan, but somehow I’ve always found him to be one of the most interesting characters in the peloton and one who I continue to have my eye on, watching for his next move.
I feel strongly that when someone is at the top of the sport, there comes with that a responsibility to lead and to be an ambassador. At the same time, I’ve always appreciated his unapologetic uneasiness with leadership and with being in the spotlight. He was also the first person in history to call the whole of the Cycling public both cunts and wankers in a single press conference, which is so wildly offensive that it kind of goes full circle to being funny.
He was born in Belgium. You have to love that. And he’s the only Grand Tour contender to target a cobbled classic since Greg LeMond, albeit not in the same year. Finally, he has a deep respect for the sport’s history, to the extent that he raced up the Ventoux with a photo of Tom Simpson in his jersey pocket in honor of his fallen countryman. Not to mention that he’s a bit of a fashion hound, striving to look as Fantastic off the bike as on it. Our personal tastes may differ, but at least he’s a Velominatus.
Finally, he’s the only one of the Time Trial Triumvirate of Faboo, Wiggins, and Der Panzerwagon to stake out the Hour Record as a goal immediately after the UCI modified the regulations, and went on to crush it, restoring honor to what was once one of the coolest events in Cycling.
In a modern Cycling model where the principle objective appears to be repeating the same feats as many times as possible, I find it incredibly refreshing that Wiggo seems satisfied with achieving a goal once and moving on to the next challenge with little thought of repeating. What’s next for Brad Wiggins? Sounds like he’s hoping for some Olympic shenanigans but who knows. He’s done that before.
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@ped
Hah. Absolute classic. We are just getting warmed up here.
https://youtu.be/6QftnPNjQXs.
@frank
And here's the Fall on cadElephant
https://youtu.be/kJTMoM3Btoo
@Ron
Jesus, Ron.
@Ron
People get tattoos for different reasons, not necessarily because they want to look like tough bikers - and there are plenty of leather-clad inked-up guys on Harleys who would be unable to defend themselves against someone armed with a wet lettuce.
They're like bikes in many ways - you can get a great bike because you like the beauty and artistry of it, not because you're a great rider. I think to many people tattoos are about being in control of your own body and for some it's about taking pride in it.
Having said that I agree Wiggo's are pretty rubbish - not the execution but the design is all over the place and the names with the stars are just tacky.
@The Grande Fondue
This! The thing I dig about Wiggo is that he is clearly a fan and student of the history of sport, both the people and the machines. I don't really get that feeling so much from the other notable high profile pros currently. I'd have a beer with the guy and happily check out his stable of bikes
@Nate
Oh yes we are! I was going to post Mr Pharmacist but we're talking Wiggo, not COTHO or a host of other incandescent riders.
Here's my fave Fall track:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHdsJz6EetE
You know, I could see Wiggo and Mark E. Smith getting on. Both like the beer, and have an ornery, bloody-minded streak to them. Sky was built around Wiggo, and The Fall have always, always been about one man: Mr Smith.
@wiscot
British People in Hot Weather + Mr Pharmacist = Tommy Simpson?
@Ron
What the fuck are you talking about? I've got about 24 hours worth of tattooing on my body and I've never been in a motorcycle gang. I didn't get tattoos to look tough. As @ChrisO pointed out, people get tattoos for different reasons. And at 1.6 meters and 54 kg's, no one would peg me for anything but a skinny nerd, which is actually what a lot of cyclists look like. However, if you've gotten more than one or two trite tattoos in your life, you know that they can really hurt. Have you sat through a 5 hour tattoo session? There's a certain level of 'ruff'ness that's necessary, similar to being a cyclist. To take it a step further, I know a good handful of punkers, who, after maturing some, kept the tattoos but manage to grow into professionals who dress the part when necessary.
To the point of the post, I like Wiggins. He's no Boonen or Gilbert, but he's a genuine cyclist who's put in the work. Maybe not the most interesting and uses data more than raw power, but he wouldn't win if the power wasn't there to back it up.
We're all talking opinions here, since none of us are pals with him. (someone here has probably met him though) My opinion is that his tattoos and his bad haircut look stupid.
I like nice tattoos! I don't like manufactured edginess, and that is how I read most folks these days with their entire arms and legs covered. It used to be a sign of an outcast (or at least outside the bell curve) and now, like so much, has been mostly co-opted. And that is what rubs me the wrong way.
I like genuine character and substance. Take Sagan. That guy seems genuinely like a loon, nothing fake about him, in my opinion. I'm definitely far from normal but, I like to let my behavior speak for itself...
Bradley Wiggins is a strange one. Hes adored by the British public for winning the most boring Tour de France in the modern era, which frankly his team mate Chris Froome was the better rider, having a Mod and old fashioned lifestyle which is dominated by long sideburns, rock music, and motorbikes, and finally being a multiple Olympic medalist, for which I would admire him for.
Im a young British cyclist so I would be lying to you if Id said I havent admired him in the past. Since Chris Froome's Tour de France succes, I have learnt how to win a grand tour. His racing style was the complete oposite to that of Wiggins, it was agressive and majestic, unlike the monotonous circles and power meter calculations which Wiggns used to his succes. The Belgian born Brit also had no opponents whom couldve taken his crown, except for his own team mate of cause!
In 2014 he won the time trial worlds, the first time in his a carear and as he calles it, "a life-time goal". He wore the rainbow stripes competitvely twice. This is meerly honouring jersey.
For me, I believe Bradley Wiggins is a strange figure. I strongly deteste his road riding style but im sure my overal opinions will change if he gets more gold medals for Team GB in the Rio olympics!