Christophe Moreau races his last Tour
Christophe Moreau has considered retirement every year since 2007, but it seems that he is finally ready to get off the bike. The 39-year-old cyclist said the upcoming end of his contract with Team Caisse d’Epargne will also mean the end of his cycling career, at a small press conference on the first rest day of the 2010 Tour de France.
"After sixteen years as a pro, with good and bad moments, I've decided to retire very officially," said Moreau.
The oldest rider at this year’s Tour, Moreau stands as the 3rd best climber thanks to a 4th place finish in the 9th stage. This is his fifteenth time at the Tour de France - his best performance stands as his 4th place finish overall in 2000, followed by 12th, 11th, and 7th in ’04, ’05 and ’06 respectively, and a 29th place finish last year. He won the Dauphiné in 2001 and 2006.
"We in our later thirties are still in good shape," Moreau told Cyclingnews before the start of stage two. "Just look at Armstrong, he's the same age. It's great to still be here at our age, it just goes to show that age is not a limiting factor.”
The record for most Tour participations is held by Dutchman Joop Zoetemelk who competed 16 times, but Moreau will not be contesting that record.
"It's a number that gets a lot of attention lately but I don't really think it's that important," said the mercurial Frenchman. "What is important to me is to do well in this Tour, to finish it in Paris."
The 39-year old cyclist’s professional career began in 1995 with Team Festina, with whom he remained until they were infamously kicked out of the 1998 Tour de France. In 15 years of professional cycling, Moreau carries immense experience, and though he didn’t finish every Tour he participated in, he did wear the yellow jersey for two days after winning the prologue in 2001. He is now satisfied to pass on what he’s learned to his younger team mates.
"I think I have thoroughly experienced everything the Tour has to offer, so I won't have any regrets if this is really my last one," he said. "This year, I want to be present once again and show myself from time to time, and just have a good time."
Lance Armstrong, only five months younger than Moreau, had perhaps the worst day of his career in the eighth stage on Sunday; plagued by several crashes and a 12-minute gap behind the stage leader, his hopes were effectively quashed for an eighth Tour victory.
"When I saw (the stage) on television I thought about all the things he'd accomplished in his career," said Alberto Contador during the race's first rest day Monday. "He really had a lot of bad luck, but still you don't like to see a champion end up like that. I admire Armstrong, but maybe even more now than before."
Armstrong’s performance triggered Moreau to think about his own career. He had been keen on receiving another contract from Team Caisse d’Epargne, but now he feels that he shouldn’t push his luck.
"Nobody can be sure to avoid a catastrophe, I wouldn't like to be forced to retire after a crash like Armstrong had yesterday," said Moreau. "I've always ridden my bike for being at the front of the race. During the coming two weeks, I'll look for a last emotion at the Tour."
Laurent Fignon, two-time Tour de France winner, was quick to respond on Europe 1 radio that, "he already said last year that it was his last Tour, so be careful of a possible change of mind!"
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