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

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 Without Wit

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

Lizzie Armitstead

T Stronger Strong

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

Respect Wit Way

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

War Very Training

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

Time Art Age

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

Change Wit Used

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

Lizzie Armitstead

World Tested Test

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

Lizzie Armitstead

Wit T Self

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

Lizzie Armitstead

Family Won Try

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

Lizzie Armitstead

Ted T Suite

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

Ways Way Things

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

Hope Family Yin

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

Your You Victories

It's no big deal if I disappoint strangers.

Lizzie Armitstead

Anger T Strangers

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 Use Us

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

Lizzie Armitstead

T Ride Rid

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

Work Car Way

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

Lizzie Armitstead

Wedding Time Art

I'm quite un-traditional.

Lizzie Armitstead

UN Traditional Tradition

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

Lizzie Armitstead

T Really Real

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

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

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

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

Lizzie Armitstead

I'm old-fashioned.

Lizzie Armitstead

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 love being world champion.

Lizzie Armitstead

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

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

Lizzie Armitstead

When I have a family, I will be retired.

Lizzie Armitstead

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

Lizzie Armitstead

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

Lizzie Armitstead

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

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

Lizzie Armitstead

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

Lizzie Armitstead

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

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

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

Lizzie Armitstead

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

Lizzie Armitstead

My focus has to be on my career.

Lizzie Armitstead

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lizzie Armitstead

I can't feel sorry for myself.

Lizzie Armitstead

I never gave up, and for that, I can be proud of myself.

Lizzie Armitstead

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

Lizzie Armitstead