Merckx understands
Five time Tour winner Eddy Merckx said that he understood Armstrong's decision to retire. "To stop...
Five time Tour winner Eddy Merckx said that he understood Armstrong's decision to retire. "To stop or go on: that is a decision that you have to take yourself," said Merckx to Het Nieuwsblad. "I can't judge it. I can, however, assume that mentally it will become harder for Lance to live with everything that has happened on the fringe of the sport. Physically, I don't see a problem. Someone who is so strong after coming back from cancer, that is no normal guy but a great champion. Look at all that he has experienced! Of course He could have aimed for the classics next year. Ultimately, that's also a big part of cycling eh! I understand very well that the pressure from the media and the public is heavy. Besides, it's generally the case that a top rider first breaks down mentally rather than physically. Thus, all understanding, all respect."
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