The truth is, if you asked me to choose between winning the Tour de France and cancer, I would choose cancer. Odd as it sounds, I would rather have the title of cancer survivor than winner of the Tour, because of what it has done for me as a human being, a man, a husband, a son, and a father.

Hard work, sacrifice and focus will never show up in tests.

It's ironic, I used to ride my bike to make a living. Now I just want to live so that I can ride.

It gave me a chance to re-evaluate my life and my career. Cancer certainly gives things a new perspective. I would not have won the Tour de France if I had not had cancer. It gave me new strength and focus.

Marathons are hard because of the physical pain, the pounding on the muscles, joints, tendons.

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 don't need a field of a thousand people. Anybody can tell you that whoever needs help, I'm happy to help.