All questioned the accepted norm, all were marginalized.
Frankie Andreu, Jon Vaughters, Christophe Bassons. US coach Eddie “B” Borysewicz is spooked from the 1984 Olympics fiasco and warns riders against “ Getting involved in that shit“. Dr Luigi Ceccini is a gentle friend who warns against doping but understands the need to keep the haematocrit high. On the sidelines are the guys who questioned the chaos. The investment banker behind the US Postal team Tom Weisel is gruff, demanding results, pushing always pushing. Throughout the book we get a better look at some of the characters of the sport. This environment made it easier to ignore the increasingly irrational Armstrong, the escalating complexity of doping methods, and the challenge of telling the truth. Eventually Tyler is so deep in the lie he sees no exit and continues the charade. Private jets, big money contracts, adoring friends and fans. The sport was a frictionless environment for doping.Īnother key theme is the sense of being caught up in a whirlwind. CSC soigneurs eagerly helped with saline transfusions to get his blood values right while a tester waits downstairs. In his first meeting with new boss Bjarne Riis the topic quickly shifts to how great transfusions are and what his doping program was at USPS. Tyler points out that Bruyneel makes “ The outrageous sound normal– it may be his greatest skill“.
When it is decided that transfusions are the next step Bruyneel pitches the plan with with ease, nonchalance. Far from pushers, Tyler talks of team doctors who gently encourage and enable doping. Tyler focuses on facts and details instead of character assassination. Even the often erratic, insecure, Armstrong does not come off as badly as he could. While he gives massive amount of details of organized doping programs he spares the individual settling of scores. Tyler’s pleasant nature is evident throughout his book. Thoughtful, polite, eager to please, Tyler was not the guy you would expect to be in a Madrid gynaecologist’s office transfusing blood to be used for the Tour. In a sport filled with questionable characters Tyler was always the nice guy. Coyle’s elegant style allows the story to flow effortlessly through Tyler’s career, capturing the ebb and flow of enablers, teammates, doctors, and DS’s.įormer USPS team doctor Prentice Steffen once said “ Unpleasant people like Lance Armstrong dope and nice people like Tyler Hamilton also dope“. For 300 pages Tyler and Dan Coyle trace Tyler’s journey through the madness of professional cycling during one of the sports most complex times. “ The truth really will set you free“: the last sentence of Tyler Hamilton’s new book is a fit ending. This is a guest review by a reader known as The Race Radio on Twitter, the go-to source for information on the USADA action and much more. The Secret Race by Tyler Hamilton and Daniel Coyle
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