You can say that climbers suffer the same as the other riders, but they suffer in a different way. You feel the pain, but you're glad to be there.

- Richard Virenque

I was a hero, and a second afterwards it was all over. Casartelli was dead so what I had achieved was worth nothing.

- Richard Virenque

I symbolized doping... My phone rarely rings. I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of riders who call me.

- Richard Virenque