When the news broke that you officially retired, I have to admit, I was a little surprised. I got word a little before it was official but for some reason it didn't really sink in until I read it on the web. Although I know that your retirement doesn't mean that we will no longer work together or that I will not see you again; I want to tell you how much I appreciate what you have done for me, for Trek, for cycling and for the world. Above all else, I want to thank you for the inspiration.  Inspiring hundreds of thousands of people to dig deep, overcome adversity and LiveStrong ain't easy...

After the Tour in 2009, a journalist asked me if I was disappointed in you.  I almost lost my temper, I had to remind him that in your 8 months back on the bike you were personally responsible, among countless other things, for raising hundreds of millions of dollars to fight cancer, inspiring millions of people, melding the world of art and cycling, finding a sponsor to support a new ProTour team in hard economic times and oh yeah, standing on the podium in Paris.  It was beyond comprehension to me that anyone could be disappointed in being a part of that.

Your inspiration on and off the bike has helped so many people.  I want to thank you personally for inspiring me.  Not just for the inspiration to get on my bike when I don't quite feel like it, or the inspiration to support my friends and family who are fighting cancer, or for the inspiration to do what it takes to get the job done or the inspiration to overcome obstacles.  You have inspired me to never lay down or step aside when things are not going the way I want them to, to stand up for what I believe in, to fight the good fight.  But more important than all of that, I want to thank you for inspiring me to do all of those things while taking care of my family and focusing on what is most important in life.

Thank you for the friendship, the advice, the run and the ride but most of all, thank you for the inspiration.  I wish you all the best in the future.

Ben