(not that this is the case for him, just my nature to draw parallels).

The point is for a dignified exit, so that nobody finds out and the sport doesn't get a black eye. This is a 100% NFL thing - came from the mouths of players themselves. "If/when you see a big name player retire out of the blue, its because they got popped", and were offered a way out without any negative publicity.

Personally - I don't care. Because I don't think any (the majority) professional athlete is clean, nor do I think the sport governing bodies really care. It's the nature of professional sports. I still respect the riders/athletes and the feats that they perform.