The return of Lance Armstrong to the Tour de France has brought out at least one book — “Lance: The Making of the World's Greatest Champion.”
And at least one cyclist, defending champion Carlos Sastre, might like to offer an alternate subtitle, “What Makes Him So Disrepectful?”
In an interview in the book with author John Wilcockson of VeloNews, Armstrong talks about some of the things that helped him decide last September to return to pro cycling. As quoted in Boston.com:
“The Tour was a bit of a joke this year. I’ve got nothing against Sastre . . . or Christian Vande Velde. … Christian’s a nice guy, but finishing fifth in the Tour de France? Come on!’’
That's got to sting a guy who has battled valiantly for years to reach the Tour de France podium. And how many Tours did Armstrong ride before he finished in first place back in 1999?
Sastre is quoted in the wire services:
“It’s his point of view, it’s his words – his life. He is a great champion, he won seven Tours de France, a world championship, he’s a great rider.
“But behind every rider must be a person, and on that point, maybe he needs to learn something more. … There is something wrong with him about respect.’’
I'd really like to be within earshot if Armstrong and Sastre ever come alongside each other in the peloton over the next three weeks.
Although I haven't read the book yet, a copy is on its way and I plan to review it.
“Lance: The Making of the World's Greatest Champion” has a website that features an interview with Armstrong and excerpts from the book. If you've spent anytime on VeloNews you've probably seen Wilcockson's byline. He has 40 years of experience writing about the Tour de France, including his book on the 2004 Tour — “23 Days in July.”
If you're thinking of buying the book, the Seattle Times has a review by Charles R. Cross. Although Cross is an author who appears to specialize in books about pop music, he has been struck three times by motorists while bicycling.
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