Athletes don't have much use for poking around in their childhoods, because, introspection doesn't get you anywhere in a race.

I have never had a single positive doping test, and I do not take performance-enhancing drugs.

Fear is priceless education.

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.

We each cope differently with the specter of our deaths. Some people deny it. Some pray. Some numb themselves with tequila. I was tempted to do a little of each of those things. But I think we are supposed to try to face it straightforwardly, armed with nothing but courage.

I have been dealing with claims that I cheated and had an unfair advantage in winning my seven Tours since 1999.

So if there is a purpose to the suffering that is cancer, I think it must be this: it's meant to improve us.