The day when I start a race without intending to win it, I won't be able to look at myself in the mirror.
Eddy MerckxRead
I do not want to continue cycling until I am 35. I want to make something else out of my life, too. There are other things besides a bike and racing.
Interpretation
Eddy Merckx emphasizes the importance of diversifying one's life experiences beyond a single passion.
In this quote, Eddy Merckx expresses his desire to pursue a variety of interests and activities in life rather than solely focusing on cycling and racing. He recognizes that while cycling is a significant part of his life, there are other meaningful pursuits and experiences that can contribute to a fulfilling life, suggesting that personal growth and exploration are important as one ages.
In practice
During a motivational speech on life choices and passions.
The day when I start a race without intending to win it, I won't be able to look at myself in the mirror.
You had to be strong in the head... training, training and training. That is the only way, even if you have big talent.
It's not like at university where you graduate. Every cyclist must start again. At the end of the season you know if you are good or not.
Cycling is a sport of the people. How many people in the world have never been on a bike? Not many.
I have decided to give up competition. I cannot train properly for the Tour de France which I had hoped to ride for the last time as apotheosis to my career. Doctors are forbidding me to ride anymore in high level competition and I bow to them.
I was a more aggressive rider than Armstrong. I would attack more often. He waits for the other guys, then counter-attacks.
Let's face the music and dance.
The course of my long life hath reached at last in fragile bark over a tempestuous sea the common harbor, where must rendered be account for all the actions of the past.
The indignity of it!-_x000D_ _x000D_ With everything blooming above me,_x000D_ _x000D_ Lilies, pale-pink cyclamen, roses,_x000D_ _x000D_ Whole fields lovely and inviolate,-_x000D_ _x000D_ Me down in the fetor of weeds,_x000D_ _x000D_ Crawling on all fours,_x000D_ _x000D_ Alive, in a slippery grave.
Of the widow's countless death-duties there is really just one that matters: on the first anniversary of her husband's death the widow should think I kept myself alive.
You're not dead at 85. You're a long way from it. Go out and enjoy. You've earned it.
I never hurt nobody but myself and that's nobody's business but my own.
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