trevim said:
I think the decision to retire "early" is Contador's reaction to how he feels about cycling: lots of good moments but also lots of pain and serious issues to deal with. He doesn't have a cannibal like mentality and so enough is enough for him.
I agree. Though not sure 34 is that 'early' when you've been at the top as long as Contador.
Plus, it's not been a particularly easy road, and there have been at least one or two recent videos where he talks about the sacrifices he's had to make. Being at the top so long must be mentally, as well as physically exhausting. Just dealing with the constant pressure and scrutiny of the media. Without getting into Clinic stuff, 2010-12 must have been a battering. Anyone's appetite is going to have to be very very strong to keep putting yourself through the kind of work and attention someone like him has to deal with. And even though he's driven, I don't see him as being as single-mindedly competitive as someone like Lance Armstrong, who you imagine wants to win pretty much at everything - probably even beats his kids at ludo!
And to some extent, AC has made his point in terms of coming back from his ban and getting back to the pinnacle of the sport; being the man everyone regards as the one to fear. Plus, he's 32, his wife is a couple of years younger and professional cyclist hardly seems like a life which is conducive to a relaxed family life, travelling so much and training constantly. 20 years (didn't he start at 15?) is enough to be doing the same thing over and over again, even something you love to do.
Ack, though, I'll miss him.
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