Olympic hero Sir Bradley Wiggins looks unrecognisable as he is seen with his new girlfriend for first time following split from his wife of 16 years

• Sir Bradley Wiggins announced his split from wife Cath in May after 16 years
• He was spotted shopping with new girlfriend Laura Hartshorne, a PR executive 
• The cyclist was introduced to Laura by mutual friend and he has moved with her

Sir Bradley Wiggins was almost unrecognisable as he was spotted with his new girlfriend Laura Hartshorne for the first time as the pair ventured out for a shopping trip.

Gone were the large sideburns and Mod-style haircut of the the Olympic gold medallist's sporting heyday.

Instead Wiggins, 40, looked more hipster than rider with a bushy ginger beard and closely-cropped haircut.

His clothing were miles from his previous dapper attire and instead looked more casual in a chunky jumper and olive chinos. 

He appeared clearly loved-up as he put his arm around Laura, a PR executive believed to be in her 40s. 

The charmed couple had been introduced to one another by a mutual friend, and after hitting it off Bradley has even taken the plunge of moving in with her. 

News that the couple were ­dating emerged last month only six months on from the Tour de France winner's split from wife of 16 years Catherine in May.

But according to fellow shoppers, Bradley and Laura were every bit the happy couple as they left a supermarket in south west London.

'They looked happy, like a new couple,' an onlooker told The Sun.

'They'd done a big shop as if they'd prepared for lockdown.'

Bradley had initially kept his new relationship under wraps but he has now moved into Laura's London home. 

His ex-wife Cath has stayed in Preston with their two children, Ben, 14, and Isabella, 12.  

Laura is an art graduate who once worked for a modelling agency with Cindy Crawford and Naomi Campbell on its books.

The PR executive also co-founded a dog biscuit company called Bark 'n' Bites.

A source close to the cyclist said: 'Laura is no stranger to the celebrity scene given her job and she loves a good party which fits in more with Bradley's lifestyle now.

'It was never intended to turn into a relationship but they formed a close emotional bond and things progressed from there.

'He's moved in with her in London and they're very loved up.' 

Announcing his split earlier this year, the British Olympic star tweeted the sad news and said their two children remained 'a priority'.

He wrote: 'It is with deep sadness my wife Cath and I have decided to separate. Our two children remain our priority and we ask for privacy at this time. Brad & Cath.' 

The 2012 Tour De France winner's role in the spotlight has hit his family life in the past with Cath - who has bipolar disorder - ending up in rehab after doping allegations levelled at him in 2016 'nearly killed' her and made his life a 'living hell'.

Russian hackers published medical records that revealed he had obtained a Therapeutic Use Exemption certificate (TUE) on three occasions to take triamcinolone, including before his historic 2012 Tour win.

UK Anti-Doping investigated the allegations, a key point of contention being the delivery of a medical package for Wiggins and Team Sky in 2011.

The 14-month investigation was eventually closed after they were unable to find enough evidence about what was contained in a Jiffy bag sent to Sir Bradley's tour bus.

Wiggins has denied any wrongdoing, claiming he used the drug, which has a history of abuse in cycling because it can assist weight loss, legally to treat asthma and allergy problems.