Cyclist Ben Wiggins, the son of five-time Olympic champion and Tour de France winner Sir Bradley Wiggins, is carving out his own path in the world of competitive cycling. At just 20 years old, Ben is already making waves in the sport, with his sights set on Olympic glory.

The Weight of a Legendary Name

Ben acknowledges the advantages and challenges that come with his famous surname. "I definitely see it partly as an advantage but, trust me, there's an awful lot of things that come with it that aren't as easy," he told BBC Radio Lancashire. "I'm incredibly proud of him and what he did. Sometimes, when they do team presentations before the race, I'd be brought on stage and introduced as Bradley Wiggins' son before my name is even mentioned."

Early Career and Achievements

Ben began his cycling career in 2022 as a junior rider for the Fensham Howes-MAS Design team. His talent quickly became evident when he won a silver medal in the men's junior individual time trial at the 2023 World Championships in Glasgow. This achievement led him to join the United States-based Hagens Berman Jayco team, managed by Axel Merckx, son of another cycling legend, Eddy Merckx.

Olympic Ambitions

Ben's ultimate goal is to become an Olympic champion at the 2028 LA Games. "My ambition is to be an Olympic Champion in LA," he said. "There's plenty more things on the table for me to achieve but it's a dream of mine so that's definitely the mid to long-term goal, on the track or on the road. If you can do both you're a big asset for the team, so that's my ambition."

Balancing Expectations

Despite the high expectations, Ben is focused on his own journey. "I'm 20 years old. Maybe when I'm 35 that's fair enough, but I'm just getting started," he said. With his determination and talent, Ben Wiggins is well on his way to creating his own legacy in the world of cycling.