"I just wanted to give up" - Have you ever wondered what it's like to juggle parenthood with racing in the peloton?

Danish cyclist Lasse Norman Leth has revealed just how close he came to stepping away from the sport this past summer. In a candid interview with DR, the 32-year-old opened up about the challenges he faced in 2024, both on and off the bike, after missing out on Denmark's Olympic Games track team.

Norman Leth, who became a father at the start of the year, admitted that the transition to balancing parenthood with professional cycling proved more difficult than he had anticipated. “I couldn’t keep up with the level I used to be able to do, and in general my level was just a little bit lower than before,” he said. “Adjusting to a new life was harder than I imagined. I think there’s no doubt that it cost me something, but I don’t want to blame Julie and Alfred. I’m sad and disappointed, but I have to point to myself and say that there are things I could have done better.”

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This dip in form had significant consequences for Norman Leth’s Olympic ambitions. Dropped from the regular team pursuit selection and replaced as Michael Morkov’s Madison partner, Norman Leth found himself relegated to the role of reserve for the Paris 2024 Olympics. Reflecting on this, he described it as “clearly the most frustrating and desperate moment in my career. Without a doubt.”

Despite the heartbreak, Norman Leth has taken full responsibility for the situation. “I have come to the conclusion that I can only be angry with myself, because I did not manage to reach the level that I needed,” he explained.

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The disappointment pushed Norman Leth to the brink. "I just wanted to give up," he admitted. "You can’t blame anyone, but I was so sad. I never wanted to see a bike again. I wish I could have made a difference."

However, Norman Leth has since found renewed motivation and is now focusing on the future, particularly the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. "The chance to win Olympic gold with this team is something I dream about. That’s why I’m going to continue," he said. When asked if gold is a realistic goal, he confidently responded, "I think so."

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