The Making Of The World’s Greatest Champion – Lance Armstrong
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Winner of a FREE Lance Armstrong book.
“No champion has astonished the world quite like Lance Armstrong. Yet few know the complete story of this brash, smart, and fiercely competitive Texan who battled to the top of his sport, overcame the most rampant case of testicular cancer doctors had seen, and then conquered cycling’s Holy Grail seven times.
In Lance: The Making of the World’s Greatest Champion
Family members-including his adoptive father speaking publicly for the first time-recall Lance’s humble origins in the backstreets of Dallas, the father he barely knew, his single mom’s struggle for survival, and her second marriage that brought a move to the suburbs and new opportunities.
His childhood friends and early mentors remember how he moved on from Little League baseball and football to excel at swimming, running, and triathlon, while living the life of a teenager who loved fast cars and pretty girls. They also describe the circumstances that eventually led to his taking up cycling.
As Lance’s fierce ambition drove him from the dusty plains of Texas to the snowy peaks of Europe, he was both admired and derided. He intimidated his rivals, earned the respect of his teammates, and astounded everyone with his extraordinary deeds.
But his achievements have consistently been dogged by allegations of doping and secrecy, and questions of how triumph on such a grand scale could even be possible.
This compelling story is intertwined with the stories of those who helped shape his life and career, including his mother Linda, ex-wife Kristin, and one-time fiancée Sheryl Crow, along with those of his mentors, coaches, and friends. Their voices, along with those who helped him expand his cancer foundation into a worldwide movement, are integral to his unique story.
This book also reveals details, many for the first time, of how Armstrong’s legendary training, near-fatal bout with cancer, repeated doping allegations, and hostile European media all pushed him to reach the pinnacle of his sport and rightly claim the title of the world’s greatest champion.
“A fascinating, very well put-together portrait full of insights into its subject’s personality….Wilcockson – one of the most experienced of cycling writers - is particularly good on Armstrong’s troubled upbringing in suburban Texas… The adult dramas – the rise to cycling prominence and his domination of the Tour, the cancer and the setting up of his cancer foundation, his marriage, fatherhood, divorce, and his relationship with Sheryl Crow – are better known, but in Wilcockson’s hands they remain rich in the re-telling, and much is added to our understanding of a tumultuous life.” – The Independent
Author John Wilcockson has written for Outside and Men’s Journal, among other publications. He is the author of 23 Days in July, one of ESPN’s “Top 10 Sports Books of the Year,” and lives in Boulder, Colorado. Follow John’s Twitter at www.twitter.com/johnwilcockson. For more on Lance: The Making of the World’s Greatest Champion
A BIG THANKS to Sean Maher for hooking up Ride-Strong.com with a FREE book to give away to one of our lucky readers!
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July 23rd, 2009 at 5:08 pm
Go Lance! We love you! TEAM RADIOSHACK in 2011
July 23rd, 2009 at 6:15 pm
would make a great addition to my other Lance books. I’m very happy that a new sponsor has come forward, but I was hoping for “Team LiveStrong”. Maybe LiveStrong/RadioShack?
July 24th, 2009 at 3:51 am
This looks like it will be a really interesting book. Lance career has always been fascinating and I really look forward to read it!
Really pleased with the announcement made today, I sure hope that Trek will be with you guys next year too!
July 24th, 2009 at 8:03 am
Lance is incredible, whatever you think of him. He seems human this year, and I hope he’s in yellow in years to come.
July 24th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Not only has Lance inspired the world but each one of us has that same power to inspire those we love and meet on a daily basis.If with only a smile we can change peoples attitudes one at a time. You don’t have to have power or money to give people hope and insperation,it can be done with a kind word or helping hand. Like Lance,Tyler you and mimi have inspired me by your example that with the right attitude and hard work we all caqn have what life can offer. Lance could have easily quick when he had cancer, but he didn’t and we can’t quit either in Vemma or in life because we never know how close we are to the finish line.
August 9th, 2009 at 9:17 am
Tad Wolfe – you are the winner of the book! Congrats!
July 26th, 2009 at 6:19 pm
I’ve read the rest of his books.
Now it’t time to read about how to be the BEST!
David Guillory
726 Bobby Jones Dr
Cibolo, TX
July 27th, 2009 at 6:43 am
I am glad he is doing the tour again next year, and excited he has an American Sponsor. Should make for a great Tour next year!
July 28th, 2009 at 9:07 am
Lance is an awesome man who’s a great inspiration.
August 5th, 2009 at 4:20 am
I like Lance, this year he proved that he is still counting as one of the most dangerous bikers in whole Tour de France bikers group. But i would disagree that he is world’s greatest champion. No one should disagree that he is great but the most of his career he was racing one event a year which is not too much for professional sportsman for me.
August 26th, 2009 at 6:16 pm
Yes! Lance is awesome, whatever you might think of him. He seems human this year, and I hope he’s in yellow in years to come.