Lance - The book

So much has been written about Lance Armstrong over the past decade or so that it seems impossible that anything new could be revealed about him. Over the years we’ve been regaled with endless articles, books and video chronicling just about every aspect of Armstrong’s life. There is absolutely no doubt that he is a uniquely gifted athlete, who also possesses an incredibly sharp mind and a warrior’s singular intense focus. Like most great people, Armstrong has a magnetic charisma that he uses to great effect to manipulate both people and events. Today Armstrong is one of the most famous characters in the USA and wherever he goes crowds flock to see him.

While standing atop Mount Palomar on the last day of the 2009 Tour of California I was astounded to discover that a huge portion of the thousands waiting to see the race had never seen a major bike race before. These people had come to see the great man in person as he contested his amazing come-back race three years after his last Tour de France win which, at the time, also signalled his ‘retirement’ from professional bike racing! From the Tour Down Under in Australia to the Giro d’Italia and on to the Tour de France, 2009 it was again the year of Lance. He did not win either the Giro or Tour but without question he was the focus point for huge throngs of almost crazed media and fan attention wherever he went. Like it or not, when Lance raced he was the star that everyone wanted to see.

For anyone to attempt to write a new book about Lance is a daunting prospect. John Wilcockson is one of the best (if not the best) writers in the field of cycle racing journalism. He has over forty years of experience and he possesses an encyclopaedic knowledge of facts and trivia encompassing all cycle racing history. His bold attempt to chronicle ‘The Making of the World’s Greatest Champion’ reveals few unknown facts about Armstrong’s life. However where he does differentiate with this work is through numerous interviews with Armstrong’s closest relatives, friends, teammates and business colleagues. What comes out of these interviews is that Armstrong is disciplined, fierce, brutally focussed and will use people to simply achieve his own ends. It is clear that getting close to Armstrong is virtually impossible and that those who do will most likely be jettisoned at some time up the road when they are of no further use to him.

To achieve all that Armstrong has thus far requires a singular drive that elevates the individual well above the rest of society. In his book Wilcockson tries very hard to soften the Armstrong image by painting a picture of the young brash Texan who now in his late 30’s is mellowing and becoming much more personable and approachable.

No book about Armstrong can avoid the topic of drugs. As Lance repeats very frequently, he is the most tested athlete ever in any sport. Try as they may, many people have tried to bring Lance down based on flimsy, or even no, evidence. Wilcockson goes to great lengths to explain the issue of drugs with respect to Lance. Unfortunately too many words are devoted to the topic and at times parts of the book suffers from it.

Wilcockson reveals that he has a close working relationship with Lance. While this gave him undoubted access to Lance’s ‘inner circle’, it is also clear that he too is strongly influenced by the charismatic control that Armstrong imposes on just about everybody close to him. “Lance - The Making of The World’s Greatest Champion” is a less than modest title but this is a fascinating book that is worthy of adding to your bookshelf. However do not read it at face value. Look behind the words and you will be able to create your own view of Lance Armstrong.

Published by ‘De Capo Press’ “Lance - The Making of the World’s Greatest Champion” can be found in almost any book store.

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