Lance: The Making of the World's Greatest Champion

Few people know exactly how lance Armstrong became such an amazing force in cycling. Now, in Lance, John Wilcockson draws on dozens of interviews with those who know Armstrong best, to trace his remarkable life, both on and off the bike.

Family members—including his adoptive father, speaking publicly for the first time—recall Armstrong’s humble origins, the father he barely knew, and his single mom’s struggle for survival. His childhood friends and early mentors recall how he also excelled at other sports, including swimming, running, and triathlons.

Known for pushing his body to the extreme and intimidating his rivals, Armstrong accomplished extraordinary feats like winning the world’s professional roadrace championship at twenty-one and taking home the Tour de France trophy seven consecutive years in a row. But his many achievements have consistently been dogged by allegations of doping and secrecy.

In Lance, Wilcockson provides numerous details, many for the first time, of how Armstrong’s legendary training, near-fatal bout with cancer, and battles with the media drove him to reach the pinnacle of his sport.