Lance Armstrong has retired from professional cycling, according to the Associated Press. The disclosure came in an exclusive interview with the wire service published Wednesday, just one month after Armstrong’s last competition and almost six years after he won the last of seven straight Tour de France titles.
Armstrong, 39, attributed his decision to growing family responsibilities and being tired of the sports demanding training requirements.
The announcement brings to an end Armstrong’s come back tour, which started in 2009 four years after his first retirement.
Armstrong is to competitive cycling what Tiger Woods is to golf. He has probably helped sell more cycling gear than any other single athlete in the sport. But he has also been hounded in recent years along with other top cyclists by allegations of that he took performance enhancing drugs an allegation he has consistently denied.
Armstrong will likely remain a strong voice in cycling and raising money for research and programs aimed at improving the quality of life for fellow cancer survivors. He owns his own shop in his home of Austin, Texas and his eponymous foundation continues to raise and spend tens of millions of dollars a year to help cancer survivors through Livestrong, which has partnered with Trek, Nike and many athletic brands to promote cancer awareness and improve the lives of cancer suvivors.
“All of us at Trek today extend our best wishes, thanks and congratulations to Lance Armstrong, the greatest champion cycling has ever known,” Trek said in a statement released Wednesday. “His comeback and achievements on the bike took courage and his leadership to promote cancer awareness and research continues to be a remarkable success. Lance’s victories helped put Trek and our bicycles on the map; we will continue to work with him and provide him with bikes for his enjoyment and endeavors.”
