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The Chain

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The Chain

By: Sir Bradley Wiggins
Narrated by: Paul Thornley
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About this listen

'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 Best of 2025 Cycling Mental Health Personal Development Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Sports Thought-Provoking Inspiring

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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

All stars
Most relevant
Loved every piece of his extraordinary life. He is an inspiration to others. Deserves to keep going

Outstanding. Understanding Bradley Wiggins the person was so emotional

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incredibly frank, extraordinary story of grit, determination, success, failure & the mental pressure so often hidden behind Sir Bradley's otherwise truly amazing sporting achievements.

incredibly frank, extraordinary story

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Absolutely amazing work and life of Wiggo, quite sad in places but altogether an amazing story

Awesome

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I thought this was fantastic. Very revealing and insightful. it was really well narrated too and I didn't want to stop listening. It flew by as it was incredibly engaging.
Great insight as to what really going on in his life at key points everyone will remember. Thought it was very courageous to share what he did and I wish him all the very best for the future as he continues his journey.

Absolutely brilliant - incredibly insightful

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I write this review with no previous knowledge of Bradley and no cycling background. I bought the book as was fascinated by the pre-lauch articles about this famous household name.
I find this book perhaps one of the most difficult to review. There are several different angles to consider and it would be easy to give an outstanding summation of Bradley's telling of his story or alternatively to give perhaps a too harsh one. My review is somewhere in the middle and higher end.

The positives - Frank and honest account of trouubled dysfunctional family upbringing and later child abuse.
- Bravery in providing such a raw account.
- Insightful and fascinating influence into close family members especially his father, stepfather and grandparents.
- Politics, tactics and relationships with fellow riders and Team Sky.
- Very honest and helpful sharing the stranglehold of drug dependency and it's destructive effects (especially so, as having experienced first hand this sadness via a close family member.)
- Excellent narration, although consistent downbeat tone made the experience perhaps more depressing than intended.

Negative observations.
- Preponderance of self absorption/analysis became perhaps rather repetitive.
- The big question: did I feel I really got to know this man given the "opening of soul" in such a raw way? In some way possibly not, in his feelings and how matters now stand in his personal family life.
I say this,more on what was not said, relating to the years following his great achievements.
There is minimal disclosure relating to his family and marriage relationship post "the crash." His wife gets several passing mentions of credit but nothing of substance relayed. To me, an important element of "TheChain" seems missing or was avoided. Am I correct to assume, reading between the lines, a sad outcome? We just don't know and appreciate if this delving into Bradley's inner life is so deeply personal it is one step to far. In the closing Acknowledgements, my suspicions in this area seem underlined by an obvious omission.
If my observations are to harsh, then I'm sorry.
Nevertheless, a worthwhile read.

Sobering

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