We’re usually advised to avoid burning our bridges, to keep our options open, to retain the possibility of return. Years back, I met a guy who was once ranked the 134th mens tennis player in the world. He kept his options open. He left professional tennis to become a lawyer.

We’re not advised that once we have burnt our bridges; then we are truly committed, that the only way out is to see the task through. If you mean to be the best of the best, then you may need to burn some bridges.

Floyd Landis burnt his bridges early in Stage 17. He sent his team to the front to drive the pace. And when his team was spent, he drove the pace himself. He knew that he cracked the day before. But he made the commitment to either pull himself back into the Tour or completely blow up trying.