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We Might As Well Win: On the Road to Success with the Mastermind Behind Eight Tour de France Victories
Former professional bicyclist Johan Bruyneel takes you on an exhilarating behind-the-scenes tour of the road to victory. In 1998, Johan Bruyneel looked Lance Armstrong in the eye and said, "Look, if we’re going to ride the Tour, we might as well win." In that powerful phrase a dynasty was born. We Might as Well Win reveals the planning, training, strategy, and tactics that led to a record seven Tour de France victories for Bruyneel with Armstrong, an eighth with Alberto Contador, his eleventh grand tour victory at the Giro d’Italia, and the exclusion of his team Astana from the 2008 Tour de France. Through thrilling stories of his own racing wins and those of the cyclists he has guided during his extraordinary career, Bruyneel shows what it takes to succeed, both on and off the bike.
240 pages, Paperback
First published June 4, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
September 3, 2010
Everything I knew about cycling, and about the Tour, was telling me something about Lance, this kid who'd been a spectacular one-day racer but had never even finished a complete Tour de France, and who was trying the most improbable comeback in all of cycling, if not sport. I turned off my brain and listened to my heart.
I accepted the job. Then I told Lance something shocking.
"I think we should focus on the Tour de France," I said.
"Okay," said Lance. "Which stages? I can win a few stages."
"No," I said. "I want to see you on the podium. I want to win the whole thing."
Lance said nothing for a moment. Years later he would tell me, "I thought it was far-fetched, but at that point I had nothing to lose."
"Look," I said. "If we're going to ride the Tour, we might as well win."
Finally, Lance said, "Sure. Okay, let's do it. Let's win the Tour de France."
I've been fascinated with the Tour de France since at least the mid-80s, the pre-Internet and full-time cable coverage years when the best you could hope for was hour-long updates on the weekends or maybe a half hour late each night when Greg LeMond was doing well. Fascinated may be an understatement, as I'm an enthusistic fan and obsessive follower of the race. So it's hard for me to say if a non-fan would enjoy this book, but I certainly did.
The book is Johan Bruyneel's reflection on his first nine years as a team manager, winning seven times with Lance Armstrong in his first seven tries and a first time with Alberto Contador on his ninth. (He retired, wrote this, and has since returned to the job.) Bruyneel was much more instrumental to Lance's success than most people realize, providing brains to go with Lance's brawns. I found it fascinating to read his perspective on events I'd raptly watch unfold as a spectator, but think he tells his stories in a way that non-fans/non-cyclists will easily understand and enjoy. But he's not just chronicling his career--he only shares illustrative highlights--so much as sharing the insights his experience has given him about being successful. Different races and anecdotes serve as examples of chapter titles like, "It Starts with Belief" and "Do Whatever It Takes to Communicate" and "Find a Victory in Every Loss." It's nothing too deep or surprising, but the evidence of his experience gives weight to what he's saying. I found it an engaging and enjoyable read.
The true value of communication is often not so much what you say to each other but the simple, powerful fact that you care enough to say something to each other so often.
I accepted the job. Then I told Lance something shocking.
"I think we should focus on the Tour de France," I said.
"Okay," said Lance. "Which stages? I can win a few stages."
"No," I said. "I want to see you on the podium. I want to win the whole thing."
Lance said nothing for a moment. Years later he would tell me, "I thought it was far-fetched, but at that point I had nothing to lose."
"Look," I said. "If we're going to ride the Tour, we might as well win."
Finally, Lance said, "Sure. Okay, let's do it. Let's win the Tour de France."
I've been fascinated with the Tour de France since at least the mid-80s, the pre-Internet and full-time cable coverage years when the best you could hope for was hour-long updates on the weekends or maybe a half hour late each night when Greg LeMond was doing well. Fascinated may be an understatement, as I'm an enthusistic fan and obsessive follower of the race. So it's hard for me to say if a non-fan would enjoy this book, but I certainly did.
The book is Johan Bruyneel's reflection on his first nine years as a team manager, winning seven times with Lance Armstrong in his first seven tries and a first time with Alberto Contador on his ninth. (He retired, wrote this, and has since returned to the job.) Bruyneel was much more instrumental to Lance's success than most people realize, providing brains to go with Lance's brawns. I found it fascinating to read his perspective on events I'd raptly watch unfold as a spectator, but think he tells his stories in a way that non-fans/non-cyclists will easily understand and enjoy. But he's not just chronicling his career--he only shares illustrative highlights--so much as sharing the insights his experience has given him about being successful. Different races and anecdotes serve as examples of chapter titles like, "It Starts with Belief" and "Do Whatever It Takes to Communicate" and "Find a Victory in Every Loss." It's nothing too deep or surprising, but the evidence of his experience gives weight to what he's saying. I found it an engaging and enjoyable read.
The true value of communication is often not so much what you say to each other but the simple, powerful fact that you care enough to say something to each other so often.
July 14, 2009
What do you say about the man who helped coach Lance to achieve what no other human in history ever had - seven consecutive victories in the most chaotic and unpredictable sporting event on earth? I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I have to admit that I picked it up at Costco simply because Lance was on the cover and I have read every other book about or written by Lance. I also loved the title. This book takes what Bruyneel has learned about winning the Tour de France and applying those lessons to life. I did not view this as a self-help book, but as a first class ticket into the passenger seat of the team car during the tour.
"It is people who perform out on roads and all across the world, whether their ambition is to win the Tour de France or open a restaurant or find a sponsor for the youth league uniforms. And it's the people who have the heart to ignore the distractions of money, technology, managers, and everything else that clamors to be part of our lives, who win the most."
When Bruyneel was asked about what he learned from Lance about winning, he stated the following about his life with Lance:
"Start with belief, use your head, use your heart, communicate, don't be afraid to dent things, confide, hide your strengths, lose a little to win a lot, never stop seeking talent to surround yourself with, and don't let money make your most important decisions for you."
There never has been, nor will their ever be another Lance Armstrong. I would dare say that there has never been a more impressive or overall athlete than Lance. Many think that cycling is easy...it is also those who have never ridden a bike more than a leisure ride around the neighborhood. Seven consecutive wins of the Tour de France...in my opinion; there is nothing else that even comes close to matching this accomplishment. On top of everything else, to do it within two years of recovering from cancer! UNBELIEVABLE! My hat goes off to a man who has inspired not only cyclist throughout the world, but millions and millions of everyday heroes like you and me.
"It is people who perform out on roads and all across the world, whether their ambition is to win the Tour de France or open a restaurant or find a sponsor for the youth league uniforms. And it's the people who have the heart to ignore the distractions of money, technology, managers, and everything else that clamors to be part of our lives, who win the most."
When Bruyneel was asked about what he learned from Lance about winning, he stated the following about his life with Lance:
"Start with belief, use your head, use your heart, communicate, don't be afraid to dent things, confide, hide your strengths, lose a little to win a lot, never stop seeking talent to surround yourself with, and don't let money make your most important decisions for you."
There never has been, nor will their ever be another Lance Armstrong. I would dare say that there has never been a more impressive or overall athlete than Lance. Many think that cycling is easy...it is also those who have never ridden a bike more than a leisure ride around the neighborhood. Seven consecutive wins of the Tour de France...in my opinion; there is nothing else that even comes close to matching this accomplishment. On top of everything else, to do it within two years of recovering from cancer! UNBELIEVABLE! My hat goes off to a man who has inspired not only cyclist throughout the world, but millions and millions of everyday heroes like you and me.
May 24, 2019
Johan Bruyneel found a way to succeed in life and is excited to help others succeed as well. By any measure he is one of the greatest team directors in the history of cycling. I think (although I am probably not a good person to judge this) that even people uninterested in cycling would enjoy the book. It talks about leadership, motivation, and life. What makes a person successful? Why do we strive for greatness and what happens when it has been achieved? Such questions are explored using examples from Mr. Bruyneel's life and the lives of those he has had close contact with (such as Lance Armstrong for example). I also really enjoyed the writing. The coauthor Bill Strickland really made sure the prose was clear, concise and beautiful. The order the various stories are told is not chronological, but instead is very logical and makes the book captivating.
2019: I find it much harder to like this book knowing that Mr. Bruyneel’s pursuit of success included flagrant and aggressive dishonesty and systematic reliance on sophisticated (but potentially harmful and illegal) drugs and blood transfusion techniques. The fact that most, if not all, other teams participated to some degree in so called “doping” does not make me feel much better about it. However, the author was successful and did help others to succeed and much of that success came as a result of stunningly consistent and grueling hard work and meticulous preparation guided by decades of careful research.
2019: I find it much harder to like this book knowing that Mr. Bruyneel’s pursuit of success included flagrant and aggressive dishonesty and systematic reliance on sophisticated (but potentially harmful and illegal) drugs and blood transfusion techniques. The fact that most, if not all, other teams participated to some degree in so called “doping” does not make me feel much better about it. However, the author was successful and did help others to succeed and much of that success came as a result of stunningly consistent and grueling hard work and meticulous preparation guided by decades of careful research.
August 21, 2009
No one who doesn't care about bike racing would find this interesting, but for those who do, this is a pleasing and for me anyway informative read.
There is a later edition now out, I noticed (after I bought this one used) with additional info covering his time with Astana. Oh well.
There is some level of "this is my philosophy on winning; maybe it works for you" but it isn't preachy. Mostly it is an description of how he won with Lance and then Contador. He also recounts highlights of his own cycling career, arguing that his ability to win as a rider with limited skills was due to how his tactical thinking that he applied as tour director.
It isn't a particularly good source of info abut Lance, but I wasn't expecting it to be.
I think the title is awful ("We might as well win") but it comes from something Bruyneel reports he once said to Lance. The first part of the sentence was, "If we are going to ride the Tour (de France)..." While it seems a quirky motivational statement it likely says more about a guy managing people in multiple languages that are all second languages for him. (Other than that, Bruyneel had an American co-author for the book and the English is fine.)
There is a later edition now out, I noticed (after I bought this one used) with additional info covering his time with Astana. Oh well.
There is some level of "this is my philosophy on winning; maybe it works for you" but it isn't preachy. Mostly it is an description of how he won with Lance and then Contador. He also recounts highlights of his own cycling career, arguing that his ability to win as a rider with limited skills was due to how his tactical thinking that he applied as tour director.
It isn't a particularly good source of info abut Lance, but I wasn't expecting it to be.
I think the title is awful ("We might as well win") but it comes from something Bruyneel reports he once said to Lance. The first part of the sentence was, "If we are going to ride the Tour (de France)..." While it seems a quirky motivational statement it likely says more about a guy managing people in multiple languages that are all second languages for him. (Other than that, Bruyneel had an American co-author for the book and the English is fine.)
January 13, 2016
I had read some reviews that people didn't like We Might As Well Win by Johan Bruyneel. However, I have read every book about cycling that I can get my hands on so I was happy when I unwrapped this book during my birthday.
It is one of the better cycling books out there. It gives you inspiration to succeed. It gives you the inside scoop on the cycling tactics and the cycling world.
The writing is poetic at times such as this section from page 137:
" Rominger was just in front of me, our whirling wheels not even inches apart. Spray from his tire rooster-tailed into my eyes, across my face. I blinked hard and fast and shot water out my nose, turned my head and spit and spit and spit and spit. Peebles and stones flew up from the road - flung out at 50 mph by our madly spinning tires. This was the sport of cycling at its most dangerous. And best"
I read it during the 2009 Tour De France. It was the perect time to read it, as I could see the tatics of Bruyneel described in the book plated out for real on the TV. The only problem is that the book ends but Bruyneel is not yet finsihed with cyclng. I will look forward to the new Team Radio Shack and Bruyneel's next book.
It is one of the better cycling books out there. It gives you inspiration to succeed. It gives you the inside scoop on the cycling tactics and the cycling world.
The writing is poetic at times such as this section from page 137:
" Rominger was just in front of me, our whirling wheels not even inches apart. Spray from his tire rooster-tailed into my eyes, across my face. I blinked hard and fast and shot water out my nose, turned my head and spit and spit and spit and spit. Peebles and stones flew up from the road - flung out at 50 mph by our madly spinning tires. This was the sport of cycling at its most dangerous. And best"
I read it during the 2009 Tour De France. It was the perect time to read it, as I could see the tatics of Bruyneel described in the book plated out for real on the TV. The only problem is that the book ends but Bruyneel is not yet finsihed with cyclng. I will look forward to the new Team Radio Shack and Bruyneel's next book.
January 6, 2015
Quick, fun, entertaining, informative, somewhat thought-provoking, and surprisingly well written. I'm guessing this book was marketed not only to the bike-riding/racing/reading community, but also to the leadership and management types. I read it through the lens of the former, and I found it a worthy addition to the surprisingly limited US-centric non-fiction library on the sport. With that perspective, it's a fun read, because almost all of the anecdotes and examples are well-known events (or events within events) that have been examined at length; accordingly, the insider's view is hugely entertaining. Having said that, the book was recommended to me by a non-bike junkie, so it's appeal must be broader than that. Ultimately Johan is an utterly fascinating guy who has lived life to the fullest and made the most of his physical and mental gifts. If you like this book, I'd also recommend It's Not About the Bike or the sequel, Every Second Counts (both by Armstrong, with help) or even Inside the Postal Bus (by Barry). Bottom line: international bicycle racing is hugely entertaining, mind-bogglingly complex, and a fascinating microcosm of people, communities, and organizations.
January 1, 2010
Wisdom from Johan: 1. If failure is inevitable limit your losses. While losing badly to Jan in a stage, Lance actually slowed down to preserve himself for the next stage. 2. If you are going to try something, if you expend the first big block of effort to participate, you might as well give what it takes to win. 3. Ride so that if you don't win you will lose. To take a chance at the top spot you must be willing to not step onto the podium. 4. you never know which moment of success will be the one that ends up changing your life so they are all worth fighting for. 5. Winners dent things. 6. Strength and weakness live together inside each of us and we are fools if we do not see both when we look at someone else and at ourselves. 7. Do whatever it takes to communicate. The true value of communication is not so much what you say to each other but the simple fact that you care enough to say something to each other so often.
June 27, 2008
A friend gave me this book because, well, I'm a big Lance Armstrong fan. She looked at the cover and said, "Why is Lance on this book and who's that other guy?" I figured it would be a 'this is how I did it' type of book - and it is, but it's more than that.
Essentially, it's a management book set in the context of the Tour de France - the ultimate sports metaphor. If you manage a company, an office, three people, your family there's something for you in this book. Bruyneel split the book into 3 sections, winning, losing, and putting it all together. He sites specific examples from his own career as well as his time as Directeur Sportif of the Postal/Discovery racing team.
I have a list of people who need to read this book, from my boss to a couple of co-workers, to my cycling enthusiast husband. Everyone can take something from this book.
Essentially, it's a management book set in the context of the Tour de France - the ultimate sports metaphor. If you manage a company, an office, three people, your family there's something for you in this book. Bruyneel split the book into 3 sections, winning, losing, and putting it all together. He sites specific examples from his own career as well as his time as Directeur Sportif of the Postal/Discovery racing team.
I have a list of people who need to read this book, from my boss to a couple of co-workers, to my cycling enthusiast husband. Everyone can take something from this book.
April 4, 2010
Former pro turned team director tells an inspiring story.As a rider he became great by analyzing other riders and the race.While other riders chased down the wrong breaks,attacked at the wrong time,or faded with 20 miles to go from doing all of the above(that would be me)he plotted like Patton.
After racing he became a director and took Armstrong to seven Tour victories and Contador to one.Eight Tours!He gives great insight into what it takes to run a world class pro team.He organizes 20+ riders,and a small army of mechanics,doctors,assistant coaches,etc.And working with sponsors to custom tailor every bike and piece of equipment to each rider.Plus getting multi million dollar deals from sponsors.Mind boggling.
Great read,even better if you know bike racing.Maybe some corporations might use this as required reading for junior execs on how to run a highly successful organization.
After racing he became a director and took Armstrong to seven Tour victories and Contador to one.Eight Tours!He gives great insight into what it takes to run a world class pro team.He organizes 20+ riders,and a small army of mechanics,doctors,assistant coaches,etc.And working with sponsors to custom tailor every bike and piece of equipment to each rider.Plus getting multi million dollar deals from sponsors.Mind boggling.
Great read,even better if you know bike racing.Maybe some corporations might use this as required reading for junior execs on how to run a highly successful organization.
July 20, 2009
Love to read books by people @ the top of their game to better understand how they got there. Gave an amazing look inside the Tour de France plus the synergy between Johan & Lance Armstrong.
Bruyneel understands the need of the riders plus the strategy to win races. He has an amazing ability to understand the opponents as well as the course tactics which Johan is able to flex in a moment.
Read Bruyneel's take on Armstrong:
"Lance is one of the purest winners I have ever met. Whether it is riding a bike, or making a stock market transaction, or arguing over who gets to treat the other to dinner, he wants to win. He needs to win. Victory is like oxygen to him."
Being able to understand the players so completely is how he has won 8 Tour de France's to date.
Bruyneel understands the need of the riders plus the strategy to win races. He has an amazing ability to understand the opponents as well as the course tactics which Johan is able to flex in a moment.
Read Bruyneel's take on Armstrong:
"Lance is one of the purest winners I have ever met. Whether it is riding a bike, or making a stock market transaction, or arguing over who gets to treat the other to dinner, he wants to win. He needs to win. Victory is like oxygen to him."
Being able to understand the players so completely is how he has won 8 Tour de France's to date.
August 28, 2009
Got this for Dave, the Kindle version, to read on the plane & road, but ended up reading it first and then reading it aloud to him on our long driving days in Germany. I had been looking for a book explaning the rules and strategies of the Tour de France when this one came up during a search. Fascinating and well written. I liked that Bruyneel did not link the races consecutively but by story connections. One incident would lead to a story from a race much earlier (or later) and off he'd go into a new chapter. It seemed very much like stories get told in conversation - following the stream of thought instead of laying out a history. Loved it. Now we are looking foward to next year's Tour to see now it plays out with Lance and Alberto on competing teams.
August 1, 2008
I don't know much about Lance Armstrong, nor about professional cycling besides the glimpses of the Tour de France that I'd seen on tv, but that doesn't matter. This book was really enjoyable. As the former team director for Lance as well as many other successful top cyclists, Johan Bruyneel tells tales of successes and failures, triumphs and sadness. It is exciting, funny and even at points emotional. It is about working hard with a given talent, and succeeding despite any shortcomings.
August 27, 2009
A great look into what it takes to succeed as director of cycling's elite. I think the title is ridiculous, since it suggests some nonchalant, arrogant shoulder shrug approach to winning, when Bruyneel actually has clearly formed, unconventional win-oriented goals about training, winning, and life. Though there is some sports hyperbole sprinkled throughout, the book reads at a good clip and is written in an engaging, thought-provoking way that I believe would appeal to anyone interested in success at any level in any discipline.
February 1, 2009
Does the coach make the rider or does the rider make the coach? Somewhere in between in the autobiography of former average tour rider who became the coach of 7-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong. A good read for those interested in knowing more about the professional cycling circuit and particularly the TdF.
September 19, 2015
I love cycling and this book is that and so much more. Johan takes you inside not only his time with Lance and the 7 Tour de France wins, but into his own cycling career and what makes him the best coach in ALL of sports. Excellent read - I highly recommend even if you aren't a cycling fan. This is about life.
Read
April 30, 2009Pretty much what I expected. Lance this, blah, blah, blah. Me and Lance, blah, blah, blah. Remember that one time at band camp with Lance, blah, blah, blah. Do not read it if you are looking at any insight into business or personal success. If you are an avid cyclist the strategy piece is fun to read.
October 29, 2009
Thank you Evan for getting me this book! It was great fun to read. You don't have to be a bicycling fan to enjoy it. Technical terms are explained and it's written in small chapters so it's easy to put down and not be lost in a long detailed story. I learned a lot and got to experience some of the excitement of racing in Europe!
September 29, 2011
As a huge Lance Armstrong fan I have become a fan of Johan and his philosophy as a coach. This book was funny and insightful ... with the serious undertones of a winning coach included. Since I didn't know of JB when he was a rider, I enjoyed getting that background on him as well. I think any fan of cycling will enjoy this behind the scenes view of how to win bike races.
September 24, 2008
A decent look at the guy who helped Lance win 7 Tour de France victories. Not a comprehensive history but more taking key aspects of why they won and elaborating on them with stories from Johan's life and his time as team Director for Postal Service and Discovery.
January 4, 2009
Fun book from the Red Auerbach of cycling. Not a deep analysis, more at the Paul Sherwin and Phil Liggett level, but still enjoyable.
One quibble. I got really tired of the compound subject "Lance and I" that appears far more often than necessary.
One quibble. I got really tired of the compound subject "Lance and I" that appears far more often than necessary.
July 24, 2010
If you have given all that effort and sacrifice to train, compete and be beaten again and again, why just not push it a little bit further and win?
Amazing book on motivation, discipline, tactics and racing with heart & brain and not only with legs & lungs.
Amazing book on motivation, discipline, tactics and racing with heart & brain and not only with legs & lungs.
July 21, 2008
Really interesting look at competitiveness, motivation and determination. Elucidating and inspiring.
December 9, 2009
A very humorous and inspiring memoir about Lance Armstrong's Tour director, Belgian native Johan Bruyneel.
March 5, 2009
I liked this more than the lance armstrong books, actually. Not chronological and not a comprehensive day-by-day review -- so not like those OLN/versus TDF blogs
April 23, 2010
This was a very enjoyable book with great stories about cycling and it's most successful personalities. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in the sport.
March 17, 2015
This book provided valuable lessons about management and achieving goals, backed up by great stories from Cycling.
March 13, 2013
Loved the inside look at the inside of this tactician's head!
March 14, 2013
There are some interesting personal insights from Bruyneel's life but most of the book is very self-serving and self-promoting.
November 1, 2014
Good book .. But due to the doping isse I can't score it higher
December 8, 2018
An interesting read of blood, sweat and tears in pro cycling. Very readable with poetic language. Kind of funny to read an antidoping stance from the author in 2018 ;)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews