Everybody tells me that I never look as if I'm suffering. But, when I watch videotapes of a race, I always remember the pain I had to endure.

I inherited that calm from my father, who was a farmer. You sow, you wait for good or bad weather, you harvest, but working is something you always need to do.

My strength was that I am more balanced and calmer than most other riders.

If I had been born with an aggressive character, then maybe my palmares would have been longer.

I did try to win a sixth, but it was not to be.

To be free and to live a free life - that is the most beautiful thing there is.

Sooner or later a rider will emerge who will win more Tours. In every sport we have seen how the records eventually get broken and cycling is no exception.

I didn't feel I had to prove anything more.

...but he tightened his grip so he could kiss my mangled middle finger. Yes, yes, I know. He put his mouth on a part of my body. I'm surprised I'm still conscious enough to talk about it.

Yeah, I'm a vegetarian - but still, some things are just nasty. I like salads. But sometimes, they get too creative. I like regular food, just no meat in it.

The life of an honest man must be a perpetual infidelity.

Money or no money, acting is my calling.

Magnanimity consists in enduring tactlessness with mildness.

I gravitate towards dark comedy, because I'm a huge fan of dark comedy. I always think the most painful thing that you can laugh at is the best.

One of the great penalties those of us who live our lives in full view of the public must pay is the loss of that most cherished birthright of man's, privacy.

No one remembers who came fourth.

You may say I may be unfit to be mayor. But you can never say I'm an unfit mayor.

A great many quite good plays could be performed with rhythmic howls in the place of dialogue and lose almost nothing by the change.