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.

It's a fact that children with cancer have higher cure rates than adults with cancer, and I wonder if the reason is their natural, unthinking bravery... Adults know too much about failure; they're more cynical and resigned and fearful.

When I made the decision - when my team-mates made that decision, when the whole peloton made that decision - it was a bad decision and an imperfect time. But it happened.

Pain is temporary. Eventually it will subside. If I quit, however, the surrender stays with me.

I didn't live a lot of lies, but I lived one big one.

Motivation can't take you very far if you don't have the legs.

Hope that is the only antidote to fear.