18 Apr 2005 20:12
UPDATE 4-Cycling-Armstrong will quit after 2005 Tour de France
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By Ray Glier
AUGUSTA, Georgia, April 18 (Reuters) - Six-times Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong said on Monday he would retire after this year's race in July but added he was determined to secure the title one last time.
The 33-year-old American, addressing a news conference, said: "I have thought a lot about it, I have gone back and forth.
"My children are my biggest supporters but at the same time they are the ones who told me it's time to come home.
"Ultimately, athletes have to retire. I have been doing this for 14 years, I have been a professional athlete for almost 20 years. The body does not just keep going and going and going."
Armstrong, who rides for the Discovery Channel team and who came back from being diagnosed with cancer in 1996 to win a record six Tour de France titles between 1999 and 2004, added: "My time has come, there are many many other things I need to do in life but I will definitely have the itch every now and again.
"After July 24, (continuing) is not an option. It's a great field, a great race, I would like to win again. I would love to go out on top."
Three men -- Jacques Anquetil (1961-64), Eddy Merckx (1969-72) and Miguel Indurain (1991-95) -- won the event five times.
Armstrong said he wanted to help groom a successor within the Discovery team. "If I step off the bike it does not mean I'm not involved in the team. I want to develop another American Tour de France winner."
He split with his wife in 2003. He is now in a relationship with singer Sheryl Crow.
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