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Lance Armstrong: Tour de Force
Lance Armstrong rewrote the record books in 2005 when he won the Tour de France for an unprecedented seventh time. Daniel Coyle followed his progress, throughout that season, examining what made him push himself to the limit of his endurance, for his bestselling book Tour de Force now fully updated with his celebrated return to the Tour in 2009. The world's most challenging athletic endeavour is also one of the biggest and most popular annual sports events in the world. The 2005 race witnessed Texan Lance Armstrong clinch his seventh Tour de France victory -- something that no other rider has achieved in the event's 100-year history. This book looks into the unprecedented build up to the Tour, focusing on Armstrong's season and on the physical and mental limits of endurance through which he forced himself. Starting off in February when he made his annual move to Girona in Spain where preparation for the Tour becomes all-consuming, all the details of his hypermasochistic training regime will be unveiled, from sleeping in an altitude tent to the miles of gruelling riding through the pain barrier. This 'inside story' also involves access to Armstrong's US Postal Service Team and key rivals in the battle for the Yellow Jersey -- among them German Jan Ulrich, American Tyler Hamilton, and Spaniard Joseba Beloki. Above all, Armstrong's motivational strengths and burning desire to achieve are the focus of a book that celebrates a unique sporting phenomenon -- a fascinating look at history in the making and the colourful world of professional road cycling.
346 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 30, 2023
Love lance. Read this book when it came out and enjoyed it the second time just as much. Super stoked to have ridden with him a few years ago and had a chat. He told me ‘a body at rest stays at rest’. It’s my motto I live by.
February 27, 2011
from.. http://saadbhamla.blogspot.com/2011/0...
For me, it uncovered the real Lance. If you've read Lance's autobiographies, they have a feel good factor to them. Obviously enough, it is written by him, so it gives you the impression that Lance is a good-natured type straightforward guy. That couldn't be far from the truth. This book gives you a glimpse into the true world of racing. It describes how Lance is a multi-faceted personality, who in some ways resembles Muhammad Ali, that he just doesn't defeat his opponents physically. He destroys them mentally. He makes them suffer. You get a glimpse of the mind games and intriguing strategies Lance employs to win the most grueling race in the world. Seven times. He was right, its not about the bike. There's more to it than meets the eye.
On a last note, this book has some interesting passages about the role of death in epic performances. Daniel hypothesizes how the loss of a family member or other tragedies can have a very direct impact on peak performances. This struck a familiar chord. Above all, an awesome book to read. Adding some quotes and videos to give you a glimpse into Lance's world.
For me, it uncovered the real Lance. If you've read Lance's autobiographies, they have a feel good factor to them. Obviously enough, it is written by him, so it gives you the impression that Lance is a good-natured type straightforward guy. That couldn't be far from the truth. This book gives you a glimpse into the true world of racing. It describes how Lance is a multi-faceted personality, who in some ways resembles Muhammad Ali, that he just doesn't defeat his opponents physically. He destroys them mentally. He makes them suffer. You get a glimpse of the mind games and intriguing strategies Lance employs to win the most grueling race in the world. Seven times. He was right, its not about the bike. There's more to it than meets the eye.
On a last note, this book has some interesting passages about the role of death in epic performances. Daniel hypothesizes how the loss of a family member or other tragedies can have a very direct impact on peak performances. This struck a familiar chord. Above all, an awesome book to read. Adding some quotes and videos to give you a glimpse into Lance's world.
October 16, 2008
Oddly enough (because I thought it was impossible) I think this is a fairly object book about Armstrong. Those who hate him will certainly find plenty in it to confirm their opinions, and yet as someone who hugely admires Armstrong (I count myself as a fan) I enjoyed the book and felt that it was fair to him. He doesn't come across as overly likeable, but then not every cyclist needs to have the baby-faced sweetness of Cadel Evans (and even Cadel doesn't have that sweetness all the time).
It took me a long time to get through this book, not because I wasn't enjoying it, but because I read too many books at once, and this one kept being just a little too far down the to-read list.
It was an impulse-purchase when I bought it, but it has proven to be a worthwhile one: of which I am glad.
It took me a long time to get through this book, not because I wasn't enjoying it, but because I read too many books at once, and this one kept being just a little too far down the to-read list.
It was an impulse-purchase when I bought it, but it has proven to be a worthwhile one: of which I am glad.
September 11, 2012
This book was complete crap. This book was more about the author than Lance Armstrong. 'Ooh here I am at the Tour de France, how cool is that' and 'hey I'm great coz I'm writing a book about Lance Armstrong on this Tour without his cooperation'. Bleahhh. Then we got his fawning all over dodgy characters with drug links just so he could get interviews about Armstrong. I got bored with that very quickly and abandoned it before the race even began.
May 21, 2015
Not a fan of Armstrong I was reluctant to read this book but based on a number of reviews I decided to give it a go.
Very well written it gives an unbiased view of Armstrong and his team throughout the 2003 TDF. Following both the other major contenders and cycling at that time it was a great read. The author did not force feed you his opinions but instead gave you the facts and fables of the time and allowed the reader to for their own opinion. Highly recommended to all pro cycling fans.
Very well written it gives an unbiased view of Armstrong and his team throughout the 2003 TDF. Following both the other major contenders and cycling at that time it was a great read. The author did not force feed you his opinions but instead gave you the facts and fables of the time and allowed the reader to for their own opinion. Highly recommended to all pro cycling fans.
October 26, 2007
this is not the kind of book i normally read, but someone gave it to me and i found it very interesting. i didnt care for the author's style, but i was fascinated to learn so much about this sport that i have to recommend the book in spite of the bad writing.
April 24, 2014
A talented and engaging author. Dated now because of subsequent revelations, but at the time gave an intriguing look at Armstrong and his manipulative ways. For those into the sport and an interested in Armstrong it would still be a rewarding read.
March 15, 2016
A very well paced read about the world of professional cycling that is even more interesting because it ends just before drug scandals destroyed the reputation of almost every heroic cyclist in the book.
June 24, 2012
Enjoyable read and getting me in the mood for the Tour De France :)
May 13, 2013
Good book. Read it before the truth came out about Lance.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews