Six-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong announced on Monday that he plans to retire from cycling after seeking a seventh consecutive victory along the French roadways next July.
”The Tour de France will be my last as a professional cyclist,” Armstrong said. ”It will be the last one, win or lose. Having said that, I’m fully committed to winning a seventh title.”
The 33-year-old American overcame life-threatening cancer to become the greatest champion in cycling’s most famous race but has often said he wants to spend more time with his children and his companion, pop singer Sheryl Crow.
”They are the ones who made it easier in the suffering, but they are also the ones who told me, ‘It’s time to come home,”’ Armstrong said of his children.
Armstrong’s reasons for retiring came as no surprise to the head organiser of the Tour de France, Jean-Marie Leblanc.
”We thought he would retire,” said Leblanc.
”The fact he has to come over to Europe and leave his children behind doesn’t surprise us that he has made this decision.”
Armstrong, defending his crown in the Tour of Georgia stage race that starts Augusta on Tuesday, made his farewell revelation three kilometres from where golfer Tiger Woods signalled his return to form by winning the Masters eight days ago.
”I’m 100% committed, and the decision is final,” Armstrong said. ”The outlet for me will have to be via the team. I think we can develop another Tour de France winner.”
Armstrong was given only a 40% chance to survive in 1994 after doctors discovered he had brain, lung and testicular cancer but he beat those odds and went on to become a United States sports celebrity and global cycling icon.
”Ultimately, athletes have to retire. My time has come,” Armstrong said. ”The body just doesn’t keep going and going.”
However Leblanc thought it was more the Texan losing his mental toughness than any physical decline.
”Maybe this weariness will affect his effectiveness in the Tour this year,” said Leblanc.
”It is neither a wish nor a hope of mine, simply my analysis.”
The inspiration Armstrong draws and gives cancer survivors is a factor for the cyclist.
”Certain times I have relied on a special force. To have them to fall back on, not only do they inspire me but I hope I can inspire them,” he said. ”I hope to give them one more Tour de France.”
Leblanc, though, doubted whether Armstrong would be able to step up to the plate if a real challenger pressed him hard enough.
”He has already shown enough proof of his motivation, his concentration and his pride to make us believe he won’t be far off his top form.
”However if he is challenged….” said the Frenchman.
The Texan’s foundation raises money for cancer research and more than 40-million of his yellow wristbands have been sold.
Sponsorship deals and book sales netted Armstrong more than $19-million last year by some estimates.
But the heroics and fame have not come without controversy.
In 2003, Armstrong divorced wife Kristen, the mother of his twin daughters who had helped him thought his cancer fight, and began a relationship with Crow.
”Sheryl, you are the queen of rock,” Armstrong said. ”You’ve been an amazing woman and a great partner.”
Armstrong has never failed a doping test, but he has been nagged by accusations of taking banned performance-enhancing substances throughout his years of dominating the world’s best riders over the mountains of France.
Armstrong’s contract with new team sponsor Discovery Channel requires him to race in just one more Tour de France, with this week’s 1 040km US race serving as a tuneup and the start of his farewell tour in a rare US appearance.
Strong rivals include France’s Credit Agricole, Denmark’s Team CSC, Spain’s Saunier Duval Swiss team Phonak and Germany’s Gerolsteiner — all UCI Pro Teams.
Armstrong, who turns 34 in September, retired from the Paris-Nice race after three stages with illness.
Other US riders are concerned that Armstrong’s success has not inspired a new generation of American cyclists to fill his void.
”I don’t see anyone,” Paris-Nice winner Bobby Julich said.
”That’s the problem. There’s a big gap between us guys, 32-33-34 years old, and the growth we should see.”
But US veteran Floyd Landis was more optimistic, using Armstrong as an example.
”Eleven years ago, Lance wasn’t expected to live,” Landis said.
”You never know what can happen in time.” – Sapa-AFP