Lance: The Making Of The World'S Greatest Champion

No champion has astonished the world quite like Lance Armstrong. A cancer survivor who went on to win the Tour de France seven times, he is an inspiration to millions. 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 time after time. In The Making of the World’s Greatest Champion, John Wilcockson draws on dozens of interviews with those who know him best to trace Armstrong’s remarkable, yet controversial journey in vivid detail. Family members—including his adoptive father speaking publicly for the first time—recall Lance’s humble origins in 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 Texas to Europe, he was both admired and derided. He intimidated rivals, earned respect, and astounded with his deeds. His achievements have been dogged by doping allegations and secrecy, raising questions of how triumph on such a grand scale was possible. So how did Lance become the world’s greatest champion? His story is intertwined with those who helped shape his life and career, including his mother Linda, ex-wife Kristin, and fiancée Sheryl Crow, along with mentors, coaches, and friends. Their voices, along with those who helped him expand his cancer foundation into a worldwide movement, are central to his story. Lance also reveals details, many for the first time, of his training, near-fatal cancer bout, doping allegations, and media pressures that pushed him to reach the top of cycling.