Daniel Coyle spent a year living in Europe and watching Lance Armstrong prepare for his record breaking sixth Tour de France victory. In his book ‘Lance Armstrong – Tour De Force’ he attempts to portray life on the European cycling circuit, and the effect Lance Armstrong has on sport steeped in its culture and tradition. The book deals with Armstrong and his team, and their preparation for the 2004 Tour de France, and how it was subsequently won.

      Lance Armstrong has been shown as he really is, and not how he’d like us to believe he is. His first book, co-authored with Sally Jenkins, Its Not About the Bike, My Journey Back To life, was almost a work of propaganda. He tries to portray himself as a man who has been wronged repeatedly, but unfortunately this is not true. Armstrong is no angel and his handling of people is far from complementary.

      Armstrong is a Texan, and like his good friend and state mate in the White House, he sees things only in black and white, completely denying the existence of shades of grey. People are either with him or against him, and there can be no in between. Few people are willing to stand up to him, and those who do are ruthlessly dealt with. He appears to be vindictive by nature, and has no qualms about casting people out of life, no matter how much they have done for him. His teammates Tyler Hamilton’ and Floyd Landis’ departure from Armstrong’s team and their reasons for doing so are explained in great detail

      Much space is devoted to accusations of doping against Armstrong, and his relationship with Michele Ferrari, a doctor convicted for doping offences. What makes the book stand out is its presentation of both sides of the story. At no point in the book does Coyle pass judgment on anyone. He merely states the facts, and allows people to come to their own conclusions.

      Coyle does a wonderful job of portraying the cyclists and their culture, quirks, and history. With a rich heritage, European cycling is fascinating to read about, and so are its champions. Unlike in other sports, cyclists are chosen merely on their ability to finish races, let alone win them. It’s a dangerous sport, and unsurprisingly the cyclists share a common back ground of struggle and deprivation.

      Cyclists are very superstitious, and Coyle narrates the story of a cyclist whose career was jeopardized by serious injury in an accident the morning after he refused to believe the superstitions. Interestingly, cyclists do not use stairs, and will us the lift to go one floor up. Armstrong is seen is the brash uncouth American who has no regard for their culture, and is resented for this.

      The book also deals with other cyclists like Jan Ulrich, Ivan Basso, Tyler Hamilton, Mayo, and Tyler Hamilton. Much space is devoted to doping in cycling, and although people are found guilty every year, drugs seem to be very much prevalent.

      It’s a fabulous book, and its biggest strength is its neutrality. Read it!