The team wasn't just riders. It was the mechanics, masseurs, chefs, soigneurs, and doctors. But the most important man on the team may have been the chiropractor.

Two things scare me. The first is getting hurt. But that's not nearly as scary as the second, which is losing.

My mother told me...if you're going to get anywhere, you're going to have to do it yourself, because no one is going to do it for you.

I love this race from the very depths of my heart. It gives me motivation and it transcendsme like nothing else in the world.

I think I bit off more than I could chew. I thought the marathon would be easier. For the level of condition that I have now... that was without a doubt the hardest physical thing I have ever done.

You know, once I was thinking of quitting when I was diagnosed with brain, lung and testicular cancer all at the same time. But with the love and support of my friends and family, I got back on the bike and won the Tour de France five times in a row. But I'm sure you have a good reason to quit.

What matters is ultimately what collectively those people on the street - whether that's the cycling community, the cancer community - it matters what they think.