Just before the Tour de France started I read John Wilcockson’s biography of Lance Armstrong entitled Lance- The making of the World’s Greatest Champion. I have been fascinated by Lance Armstrong since he came on the scene ion world cycling in the early 90’s. His story is in so many ways is the classic American rags to riches success story that makes you feel good. All the details of his birth to a teenage mother into impoverished circumstances, to the abusive adoptive father and his rise through the ranks of cycling are detailed in this book. In many ways no detail is committed. The cancer story in touching and inspiring- BUT! Underneath all the feel good and tough upbringing you see a pattern of him using people. There is a ruthless element to him that leaves me uncomfortable. The specter of doping is a cloud over the whole book in my eyes. The author and Lance are trying too hard on the doping issue. I feel that all the details of his upbringing and his hyper competitiveness, win at all costs attitude only make the possibility of doping a more realistic possibility. We probably will never know. I know that the supposed purpose of his return to the Tour was to raise cancer awareness, but after reading the book I can’t help but think it is more about keeping Lance in the spotlight he craves and needs.
Vern Gambetta
@coachgambetta
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