Sir Bradley Wiggins has said there’s an underlying reason behind his decision to join in with Channel 4’s reality ski jumping show The Jump: his fear of getting fat.
The eight-time medalling Olympian, who announced his retirement last month, says maintaining his 11st 4lb to 13st weight will be much harder now he’s not training intensively.
Sir Bradley, 36, told the Mirror: “I don’t want to get fat and unfit, I’m really paranoid and conscious of that.
“I just don’t trust myself one bit. I’ve been institutionalised in sport since I was 12, so it’s a big change.
“I don’t want to let it go and then find myself two or three years down the line in a bit of a state.
“I have to do it for my mental health, I have to keep busy and in a routine. I’ve an obsessive nature, what-ever I do, I do to excess, so I’d rather keep good and clean.”
The 36-year-old, who announced his retirement from professional cycling last week, will join 13 other contestants from the world of sport and entertainment for the fourth series of the show, which attracted controversy last year after competitors including former Olympic champion swimmer Rebecca Adlington, gymnast Beth Tweddle and the actress Tina Hobley were injured while filming.
The new series of show, featuring gymnast Louis Smith and model Caprice, begins on February 5th.
He added: “I’m not sure if my competitiveness will come out. My goal is just to improve my skiing, I’m not fussed about winning.”
During the series, the contestants will tackle events including skeleton, bobsleigh, ski cross, giant slalom and, of course, ski jumping.
Wiggins said that skiing is "a big passion" of his. "It was a mix of that and the other committed names this year that made me want to sign up.
"Major retiring Olympians such as Sir Steve Redgrave have also trod this path.
"I see this as a sporting challenge and want to go out there and win it.
"Just don't call me a celebrity," he added.
Fu** this country. Might remove the restriction on my ebike
So what this tells me is that I can ride into a ped and knock them down and it will be treated as minor. Righto
Such a lovely paintjob.
Are you perchance referencing the lack of come-uppance in cases like this?...
Either you've not been to a Costa, or you've misunderstood the "hipster" stereotype.
Same here. Along with that friggin road.cc video. I scroll and then think "shit, too far, it's got me now"....
I watched the last hour of the women's race on the BC youtube live feed. Hugely impressive solo ride by 19 year old Alice Towers, holding off...
"Careful lad, don't scratch my paint."
Woman loses bag during flight transfer doesnt have the same ring to it does it? Feel for her but not sure this was worth a Road.cc story.
There is that little button to press on the Lezyne hose to relieve the pressure before unscrewing. Not sure if it actually helps matters or is just...