Lizzie Armitstead Quotes

Crossing the line and being world champion, I've always dreamt about it, and now I've done it. It's quite a surreal feeling, but obviously very special.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Always, Line, Very, Surreal

It has been difficult to get back on the saddle, particularly after getting whiplash and concussion, but it's just about understanding that sometimes it's OK to say, 'I don't want to get back on my bike for week.'

- Lizzie Armitstead

Week, Been, Particularly, Saddle

I am not a robot; I am a member of a family - my commitment to them comes over and above my commitment to cycling.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Commitment, Over, Them, Robot

As a British rider, it's a privilege to be able to compete on home roads. The British public have really taken to cycling, and you can see that when the race goes through different towns: the community really gets behind it.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Behind, Through, Compete, Rider

I have got lots of silver medals, from Delhi in 2010 and London in 2012, so it would be nice to pick up some golds, and the Commonwealth Games is a great place to start.

- Lizzie Armitstead

London, Some, Medals, Delhi

You can't expect a woman who's holding down a part-time job to train for the biggest race in the world. She has to have a minimum wage, and I think it's something that is pretty crazy that we don't have that.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Woman, Down, I Think, Part-Time

It's difficult to change things in a positive way.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Change, Difficult, Things, Positive Way

I'm suited to harsh conditions, I don't like racing in the heat.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Heat, Racing, Like, Suited

My family will be disappointed only if I'm disappointed, and hopefully that won't be the case. I'm trying to view the Olympics like any other race and I think the London course will suit my style.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Think, Other, I Think, Case

I have to make sure I get the right amount of protein and iron, and I take supplements for that. I think people would be surprised if they saw my diet, though; it's very normal.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Think, Normal, Very, Supplements

I eat a lot more now than I ever used to. I have taken a real interest in nutrition and believe in the difference that makes when fueling your body correctly. That means never skipping a meal and making sure that my diet supports my training needs.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Training, Believe, Used, Supports

There's a lot of bunch finishes, which are hectic and kind of dangerous; you need a lot of luck to win those.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Luck, Need, Which, Finishes

I remember taking my stabilisers off my bike with my dad in the back garden. It was a small little bike, and it was called Poppy, had balloons on it, and was purple.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Small, I Remember, Poppy, Garden

It's something that can get overwhelming and frustrating, the sexism I experience in my career. It's just obviously a big issue in women's sport, like salaries, media coverage, just general things that you have to cope with in your career.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Career, Media, Big, Cope

I could have been banned. That's what I was most scared about. All the hard work being for nothing. It was basically my livelihood and my sport being taken away from me. It was everything.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Away, Been, Could, Banned

I will hold my head high in Rio and do my best for Great Britain.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Head, High, Britain, Rio

I think about Rio every day. Every day in training, it's something that drives me forward. I want to be Olympic champion.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Think, I Think, Olympic, Rio

The Rio experience for me is going to be completely different to London.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Me, London, Going, Rio

Cyclists need to obey the Highway Code, not run red lights, and not ride with iPods on, and motorists need to be more respectful and look out for cyclists.

- Lizzie Armitstead

More, Need, Code, Respectful

I have to be a leader now. I need to shoulder responsibility more than I used to. It's changed me, but I'm OK with that.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Leader, More, Need, OK

I have never cheated anybody out of a victory, I have worked hard for every single race that I have won.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Single, Never, Worked, Cheated

I have a strong, inspiring, and professional group of women around me with Boels-Dolmans. We race and train incredibly hard as a team.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Team, Strong, Race, Train

It's really important for cycling and for women to be on a sporting stage which is in the mainstream and across the board, not just my own sport.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Own, My Own, Which, Board

I am sorry for causing anyone to lose faith in sport.

- Lizzie Armitstead

I Am, Sorry, I Am Sorry, Causing

I'm not at the point of accepting it yet - but I will have to come to the point of accepting that people will doubt me forever.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Me, Doubt, Will, Accepting

I won't try and combine training and a family.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Family, Training, Try, Combine

I feel extremely guilty that I've had to put team-mates through extra media questions.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Questions, Through, Feel, Extra

As a female athlete, I think it's really important to stand up on a podium and represent females and what we're capable of, and I always try to make political statements with what I do rather than with headlines.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Think, Always, I Think, Represent

I like being part of the Great Britain setup. I like feeling I'm at a race that is important and the pressure that goes with it.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Race, Like, Britain, Great Britain

There is no pathway for female GB road cyclists, but at the same time, if you are wanting to be the best in the world, you have to forge your own pathway. It's not that things should be there on a plate for you. You have to work really hard, and that's what I've done, and I didn't let it stop me.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Best, Own, Wanting, Forge

When you are on a climb, you always pick out people's words of encouragement, and it can push us on, without doubt.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Words, Doubt, Always, Push

I remember if the telephone rang after 9 o'clock in the house, my mother would say, 'Who's ringing at this time?' We just wouldn't answer the phone.

- Lizzie Armitstead

I Remember, Say, Ringing, Rang

I love being world champion.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Love, World, I Love, Champion

I never expected to compete at home in a UCI women's race - let alone as world champion.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Alone, Never, Compete, Champion

The UCI have to make the decision to put in rules into women's cycling that they have in men's cycling: you know, like a minimum budget to run a women's team and that sort of thing so that it becomes more professional.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Decision, More, Like, Budget

As I get older, it's getting more frustrating because I'm starting to think about what I'm going to do after cycling, and I may be pushed to study alongside riding in order to prepare for retirement - all those things the professional blokes don't really have to think about.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Study, Prepare, About, Starting

As far as I'm concerned, as soon as you reach your goal, then that's the box ticked for me. I don't feel the need to repeat titles or repeat victories; as soon as I get the one, then I'm happy.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Goal, Victories, Concerned, Titles

I don't particularly buy into all the nutrition fads and that sort of thing.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Buy, Particularly, Fads, Nutrition

I'm a very goal-oriented person, so I look at the specific demands of a certain race and tailor my training towards that.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Race, Very, Tailor, Demands

Eating well is really important to me. That means having balanced meals, never missing a meal, never skipping a meal, having a balanced diet, and never doing anything extreme.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Doing, Means, Having, Missing

It's not always about gold medals, I think. It has to be about development, and we are missing that in U.K. at the moment.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Think, Always, Medals, Missing

A world championship medal on the road is something that I'm missing from my CV.

- Lizzie Armitstead

World, World Championship, Missing

I'm 100 per cent motivated. I haven't done enough yet in cycling to be satisfied.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Satisfied, Motivated, Cent, Per

When I have a family, I will be retired.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Family, Will, Retired

I'm not a victim, and I don't need to behave like one.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Need, Like, Behave, Victim

It's no big deal if I disappoint strangers.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Big, Deal, Big Deal, Disappoint

I never quit. The times when I have quit in the past because I couldn't face trying harder have stayed with me, and the guilt is not worth it.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Past, Guilt, In The Past, Harder

The harder the race, the better.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Better, Race, Harder

I feel really lucky. There wasn't a doubt in my mind when Phil asked me to marry him.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Mind, Lucky, Marry, Phil

I am proud, but I'm annoyed with myself for not believing in myself enough.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Myself, I Am, Proud, Annoyed

I find weddings too procedural sometimes. I just want a big, fun party.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Big, Find, Too, Procedural

The problem, as a female athlete, is that you don't want to come across as negative and moaning.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Negative, Problem, Across, Female

There are lots of things that could be done. We could get more help from the UCI, like forcing Pro-Tour teams to have a women's equivalent.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Like, Teams, Equivalent, Forcing

I need to be fit and strong, and I don't want to carry any excess fat.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Strong, Need, Fit, Excess

It's fantastic news that the Aviva Women's Tour will continue in 2016.

- Lizzie Armitstead

News, Will, Continue, Tour

I'm excited to see the growth in women's cycling, and I think the Women's Tour has had a really positive impact on that change.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Think, Excited, I Think, Tour

It's fantastic to have the opportunity to race at home, so I wouldn't miss it.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Home, Opportunity, Race, Fantastic

You've got all that 130 km. of being totally focused, and as soon as you cross the line, it takes a few seconds to realise what's happened.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Line, Cross, Being, Seconds

It's very special that the Olympics is in London. As a first Olympic experience, it's going to be pretty incredible.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Special, Very, Olympic, Olympics

Outside the Olympics, there are massive discrepancies within all sports. But the positive side for me is that the Olympics are the biggest platform there is, and there's total equality across all sports.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Sports, Within, Side, Olympics

I can't pick up the phone to everybody that doubts me and explain myself.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Doubts, Explain, Everybody, Phone

I had to find my own path, and in some ways, it's been a good thing.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Some, Been, A Good Thing, Good Thing

I mean, for me, the reason I ride my bike and race is because I love doing it, not because I'm seeking recognition for it.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Love, Doing, Reason, Seeking

At the end of the day, cycling is a business, so we have to be able to offer something to a sponsor, and without exposure, that's going to be difficult, but that's where the UCI perhaps has to be a little bit stronger.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Business, Difficult, Going, Sponsor

In terms of being a famous person, it hasn't changed anything. It's not important for me.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Famous, Important, Terms, Famous Person

I need to go out on a ride feeling full and feeling ready.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Feeling, Go, Need, Ready

It hurts me to consider anybody questioning my performances.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Questioning, Anybody, Hurts, Consider

The only thing that I can do - and the only thing that I've always done - is to ride my bike fast and get my head down and control the things I can control.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Done, Always, The Only Thing, Bike

I used to think that in order to be lean, I had to under-eat.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Think, Used, Had, Lean

For the rest of my life, I realise people are going to ask questions of me, but at the end of the day, I am a clean athlete, and I have worked hard.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Rest, My Life, Going, Realise

I'm one of the most tested athletes in the world.

- Lizzie Armitstead

World, Tested, Most, Athletes

I will never cheat in any walk of life.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Never, Will, Any, Cheat

I'm old-fashioned.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Old-Fashioned

I don't look at my emails on the weekend or after 6 o'clock in the day.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Look, Weekend, After, Emails

A family is something that I definitely want, but I'm 26, so I have plenty of time, and I try not to kind of confuse the two because, if I'm lucky enough, I want to make having a baby a personal decision rather than a career-defined one.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Lucky, Two, Rather, Confuse

I am one of the best in the world, and it's a position I should get used to being in.

- Lizzie Armitstead

I Am, World, Get, Position

There are a lot of people I look up to and respect, but there's nobody really specific I would call a hero.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Hero, People, Look, Specific

I can't feel sorry for myself.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Myself, Feel, Sorry

There's been a lot of champions before me, and I'm sure there will be ahead of me.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Been, Sure, Lot, Champions

Most women's races don't pay much at all.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Pay, Most, Much, Races

I need to learn to be happy and enjoy the achievement rather than already thinking about what I could have done better.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Achievement, Learn, Need, Be Happy

Cycling is a business.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Business, Cycling

I can only tell you that I am a clean athlete and an honest person.

- Lizzie Armitstead

I Am, Person, Tell, Athlete

Integrity is something I strive for in every part of my life.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Integrity, My Life, Part, Strive

When I have children, it will be my choice, and I won't feel under any pressure.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Children, Will, Feel, Pressure

I've never thought about it in training, 'If I do this, then maybe I can be on the SPOTY shortlist.'

- Lizzie Armitstead

Thought, Maybe, About, Training

I pay my taxes.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Pay, Taxes

I'm quite a strong person, and I've become even stronger.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Strong, Person, Even, Stronger

Most of my friends are non-cyclists. They are interested and proud of my achievements, but, equally, if I stopped tomorrow, they wouldn't say much about it!

- Lizzie Armitstead

Proud, Stopped, Equally, Achievements

I've been successful because I've never been someone to shy away from taking responsibility.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Never, Away, Been, Shy

As long as my weight is healthy, then I eat what I want.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Healthy, Want, Eat, Weight

Any woman in any career has to think about when they have children, if they want to have children, and how it's going to affect their career.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Woman, Career, Think, Affect

I trust myself, the way I prepare. I feel like I know what I'm doing.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Trust, Doing, Like, Prepare

I've got a lot of silvers. Second seems to be something I end up being. I don't want to be the bridesmaid forever.

- Lizzie Armitstead

Want, Got, Being, Forever

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