Why did we believe Lance for so long?

Because we wanted to.



We wanted to believe local-boy-makes-good and American drive triumphs and sheer willpower overcomes setbacks and propels someone to win a gruelling event seven times in a row, with no rule breaking and no collusion and no lies.



What dupes we were.



We believed Lance for so long because he did - he believed himself. He believed in himself and his goals so completely that he could, apparently, lie convincingly and appealingly. He was strong and attractive and charismatic...