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 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.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects a difficult decision to step back from competition due to health concerns, highlighting the need for acceptance and courage in the face of change.
Eddy Merckx expresses a poignant moment in his life where he decides to give up competitive cycling. Despite his desire to race in the Tour de France one last time to culminate his legendary career, he acknowledges the advice of doctors and the realities of his health. This quote illustrates the theme of courage in accepting one's limitations and the importance of prioritizing well-being over ambition.
Themes
CompetitionCourageHealthAcceptanceChange
In practice
Example use cases
In a retirement speech reflecting on a brilliant career, a former athlete might use this quote to address their decision to step back from the sport.
More from Eddy Merckx
All quotes →You had to be strong in the head... training, training and training. That is the only way, even if you have big talent.
Eddy MerckxRead
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.
Eddy MerckxRead
Cycling is a sport of the people. How many people in the world have never been on a bike? Not many.
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.
Eddy MerckxRead
I was a more aggressive rider than Armstrong. I would attack more often. He waits for the other guys, then counter-attacks.
Eddy MerckxRead
Similar quotes
Who would have thought it would be possible to run across Canada on one leg, eh? I wanted to try the impossible and show that it could be done.
Terry FoxRead
With the inevitability of a tongue returning to probe a painful tooth, we come back and back and back again to our fears, sitting to talk them over with the eagerness of a hungry man before a full and steaming plate.
Clive BarkerRead
I know not what others may choose but, as for me, give me liberty or give me death.
Patrick HenryRead
I thought you were supposed to be the champion of your people,' I said. I live because I need to do that. For anyone who is left.' Don't you see? No one will be left. Protect them now or there will be no one to protect!' This is a battle that goes on and on. It never ends. You're too young to understand. No! You're too much of a coward to fight.' I was sick of lies and secrets and of battles so old we had to erase who we were to fight back. And still we lost. Still we were tied to posts.
Alice HoffmanRead
We are not born with courage, but neither are we born with fear.
Jim RohnRead
The bravest person I've ever met was a young boy going through massive amounts of treatment for a very rare, complex and unpleasant disease. I last saw him at a Discworld convention, where he chose to take part in a game as an assassin. He died not long afterwards, and I wish I had his fortitude and sense of style.
Terry PratchettRead