25 years of Miguel Indurain's goodbye: "Thank you for everything and see you soon"

Just over two minutes to read 38 typewritten lines. 370 words. That was the goodbye of Miguel Indurain, whose 25th anniversary is today, if he had not left before. Specifically, at noon on September 21 when he got off the bike at the El Capitán hotel, next to Cangas de Onís, just after El Fito had descended and close to the start of the climb to Los Lagos. At kilometer 153 of the thirteenth stage of the Cycling Tour of Spain. There are those who date from that moment, captured by TVE cameras, the royal farewell to Indurain. The other thing, the press conference at the Ciudad de Pamplona hotel, on January 2, 1997, was nothing more than the procedure that, sooner or later, would have to arrive.

Naturally calm and reserved but close and affable when it comes to being, Miguel gave his farewell the 'Indurain touch' that presided over his entire career. A monotonous tone, not a hint of emotion and things very clear. I had booked a room for eighty people at the hotel with the only extra being that it was equipped with a microphone. He arrived dressed in a dark suit, sat down, read the statement, got up, attended briefly and correctly to the mythical Pedro González for the three o'clock news, got into the car and went to his house in Villava. That was it. The cycling Indurain ended and the legend continued, because he was already a legend without going through the sieve of retirement that other athletes need to acquire status.

The month of December 1996 must not have been easy for a cyclist who was getting closer and closer to ceasing to be. The dream of a sixth Tour had now turned into pressure. The closeness with his lifelong team, Banesto, changed to a glacial relationship. Manolo Sainz wanted Indurain at ONCE but the operation was not easy financially or sentimentally. They came to have lunch together in Vitoria but there was no concretion. Everything was leading him to a point of no return: withdrawal.

It wasn't overnight. It was a process. Like every December 1st in the last twelve years, Miguel raised the gate of his garage and went out to train on his bike with his brother Pruden. Gone were weeks of absolute rest, a few kilos gained due to inactivity, and a set-up that began with walks in the mountains, alternated with some physically demanding hunting days. The specific thing, getting on the white Pinarello, began on the first day of the month. Indurain complied as if he was not going to retire. Until the 31st he went out, dressed long, with Banesto clothes. On day 1 he was seen on a bike but with an informal kit, without trade names on it. It was that day when he telephoned José Miguel Echavarri to inform him of his decision. It was that day, at home, without advisors or communication agents, when in the company of his wife, Marisa, he wrote the statement. 38 lines, typewritten. 370 words. Two minute read. The rest, the before and after, is in the history books of cycling and sports.

FAREWELL LETTER: IT'S THE BEST FOR ME AND MY FAMILY

Today, January 2, 1997, I want to publicly announce my retirement from professional cycling. This has been a long and deeply considered decision. As is well known, I have needed three months to be able to take it.

There has been a lot of talk and speculation on the subject. The truth is that it has been tremendously difficult for me to decide since I am physically fine and I think that I could still be in a position to achieve the much-desired sixth Tour. On the other hand, already in the first months of this season the idea began to haunt me that with 96 the time had come to leave it and dedicate myself to other facets of my life; in fact, that's how I had planned it. I tried as hard as I could to win the Tour and I couldn't, but I did win the gold medal in Atlanta, which seemed like the perfect ending to my sporting career.

I rode the Vuelta a España and, much to my regret, I had to withdraw due to a viral infection. This fact changed my vision of things. I couldn't say goodbye with an abandonment. In my environment they encouraged me to continue, I had to win the sixth Tour de France.

Thus, with each passing day it was more difficult for me to see clearly which was the best path to follow. I have been in professional cycling for twelve years, I have ridden big and small tours, national championships, world championships and even the Olympics. In these years I have had great satisfaction from the victories achieved but it has also cost me a lot of effort and sacrifice to obtain them.

Being at the highest level demands a lot from oneself and with each passing year it becomes more difficult to achieve it. I think I have dedicated enough time to competitive cycling and now I want to enjoy this sport as a hobby. In short, and after careful consideration, I think I have made the best decision for myself and my family. They are also waiting for me.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to express my most sincere gratitude to all the media who have followed my entire sports career with so much interest, to Banesto for their support and, especially, to all the fans who follow this sport with such enthusiasm. Thanks for everything and see you soon.