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Wheelmen: Lance Armstrong, the Tour de France, and the Greatest Sports Conspiracy Ever Paperback – Illustrated, July 1, 2014

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 1,209 ratings

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The sensational New York Times bestselling in-depth look at Lance Armstrong’s doping scandal, the phenomenal business success built on the back of fraud, and the greatest conspiracy in the history of sports. Now with a new afterword.

Lance Armstrong won a record-smashing seven Tours de France after staring down cancer, and in the process became an international symbol of resilience and courage. In a sport constantly dogged by blood-doping scandals, he seemed above the fray. Then, in January 2013, the legend imploded. He admitted doping during the Tours and, in an interview with Oprah, described his "mythic, perfect story" as "one big lie." But his admission raised more questions than it answered—because he didn’t say who had helped him dope or how he skillfully avoided getting caught.

The Wall Street Journal reporters Reed Albergotti and Vanessa O’Connell broke the news at every turn. In Wheelmen they reveal the broader story of how Armstrong and his supporters used money, power, and cutting-edge science to conquer the world’s most difficult race. Wheelmen introduces U.S. Postal Service Team owner Thom Weisel, who in a brazen power play ousted USA Cycling’s top leadership and gained control of the sport in the United States, ensuring Armstrong’s dominance. Meanwhile, sponsors fought over contracts with Armstrong as the entire sport of cycling began to benefit from the "Lance effect." What had been a quirky, working-class hobby became the pastime of the Masters of the Universe set.

Wheelmen offers a riveting look at what happens when enigmatic genius breaks loose from the strictures of morality. It reveals the competitiveness and ingenuity that sparked blood-doping as an accepted practice, and shows how the Americans methodically constructed an international operation of spies and revolutionary technology to reach the top. It went on to become a New York Times Bestseller, a Wall Street Journal Business Bestseller, and win numerous awards, including a Gold Medal for the Axiom Business Book Awards. At last exposing the truth about Armstrong and American cycling, Wheelmen paints a living portrait of what is, without question, the greatest conspiracy in the history of sports.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Authoritative and overflows with forceful details….Albergotti and O'Connell write like insiders looking out."
Los Angeles Times

"A chilling tale, and many of the anecdotes Albergotti and O’Connell collected sound like they were actually crafted in a TV-drama writers’ room."
The Atlantic

"Reed Albergotti and Vanessa O’Connell uncovered plenty more shocking details about the full extent of Armstrong’s drug use as well as the many people and institutions that helped him."
The Daily Beast

"The most comprehensive book on the subject … a colorful and thorough retelling."
USA Today

"Captivating . . . a level-headed view of the culture and business of cycling."
The Economist

"The book is rich in details, facts, and figures."
Velo News

"
Wheelmen is all the truth-and-reconciliation the sport needs."
The Philadelphia Review of Books
 
"The only thing ever missing was the truth. In
 Wheelmen, we get it."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"A detailed account of Armstrong's eventual descent into disgrace."
The Guardian (UK)
 
"The definitive book on Armstrong."
The Montreal Gazette

About the Author

Reed Albergotti is a reporter covering the technology industry in The Wall Street Journal's San Francisco bureau. He is also the son of a fanatic amateur cyclist who served as the director of cycling competition in the 1984 Olympics. An accomplished bike racer himself, Reed speaks the sport’s odd language.

Vanessa O'Connell, an award-winning reporter at
The Wall Street Journal for eighteen years, has covered tobacco, alcohol, guns, insider trading, and the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. She has a knack for exposing the nature of corporate America and how it sometimes manipulates the score in making its money.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Penguin Publishing Group; Reprint edition (July 1, 2014)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 416 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1592408885
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1592408887
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 1230L
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 14.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.94 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 1,209 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
1,209 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book readable and insightful. It offers objective information about Lance Armstrong and his career. The writing quality is described as well-written, expressive, and concise. Readers appreciate the author's portrayal of Armstrong's personality and mentality. They find the story well-paced and structured. Overall, customers describe the book as well-organized and a cohesive account of his quest to dominate life.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

186 customers mention "Readability"180 positive6 negative

Customers enjoy the book's readability. They find it well-researched and readable, covering topics like cycling's evolution and medical aspects. The Kindle version is well-made and provides an introduction to the culture around cycling.

"...O'Connell have put together a very well organized, documented, and readable book...." Read more

"An excellent book which details the deceit of Lance Armstrong. I was in awe when I first read "It's not about bike!"...." Read more

"There are many good books on the rise and fall (and rise again) of Lance Armstrong and professional cycling especially Tyler Hamilton/Daniel Coyle's..." Read more

"...The Wheelmen is a great book. But it could have been much more." Read more

171 customers mention "Insight"167 positive4 negative

Customers find the book provides interesting and well-researched details about the conspiracy. It presents objective information without being biased. Readers describe the book as comprehensive yet concise, with a compelling story to be told.

"...And I would dare to say that this is the most comprehensive yet concise history of the Cycling and Lance Armstrong's more reliable biography than &#..." Read more

"...It goes back to the start of his career and offers objective information without actually trying to take sides. Loved reading it." Read more

"...reporters Vanessa O'Connell and Reed Albergotti do an excellent job as outsiders to look at the entire picture of the corruption and doping in..." Read more

"...Their story telling is easy to read, expressive, comprehensive and to the point...." Read more

82 customers mention "Writing quality"76 positive6 negative

Customers find the writing quality good. They say the story is easy to read and well-written by credible journalists. The chapters are written in an engaging way that keeps you hooked. The authors remain objective and take no personal sides. Overall, customers are satisfied with the narrative and find it informative.

"Reed Albergotti and Vanessa O'Connell's "Wheelmen" is a well-written, documented, organized book, and an easy read...." Read more

"Well written and seems to be well researched...." Read more

"...Their story telling is easy to read, expressive, comprehensive and to the point...." Read more

"...It's a fascinating well written story about what can happen when sport (which is supposed to be fun, recreational and health building) get's mingled..." Read more

34 customers mention "Personality"30 positive4 negative

Customers find the book insightful into Lance Armstrong's personality. They appreciate the authors' depiction of the personalities and will of a network of co-workers. The book provides a realistic portrayal of Lance as a person, as a bike rider, and as a greedy man. It is a fascinating look at the monumental egos, money, and vicious power struggles behind the scenes. Readers describe it as a detailed account of the demise of a narcissist.

"...There are a central cast of characters, people with plenty to gain from Lance's "winning formula"...." Read more

"...What made Lance standout in this era was the ability to effectively manage his doping plan while others were not...." Read more

"...What I liked about this book is that it truly reveals Lance Armstrong's character. A man fueled by winning, money, and his own ego...." Read more

"...Realistic about Lance as a person, as a bike rider, as a greedy man...." Read more

10 customers mention "Pacing"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's pacing fast and informative. They say it tells an even-handed, detailed story with useful techniques.

"...The writing is crisp and the authors move the story along at a blistering pace. Every angle of the Lance Armstrong story is gripping...." Read more

"Some books are amazing and they finish too soon. This was a fair and quick read which gave me a broader picture of the Lance years and how greed..." Read more

"...The journalism is all first rate. The book tells a well-paced, even-handed, detailed, interesting story...." Read more

"...to be relentless in uncovering the truth and found the book very well paced and so informative ...." Read more

8 customers mention "Organization"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book organized and structured. They say it's a nice compilation that helps piece together how the conspiracy took place and provides a cohesive account of Armstrong's self-centered quest to dominate life.

"...In conclusion, Albergotti and O'Connell have put together a very well organized, documented, and readable book...." Read more

"...But this book sets out a nice, complete narrative and I would recommend it to someone who wants to get the big picture without investing a lot of..." Read more

"...It does a great job of piecing together how the conspiracy was able to take place for so long. It definitely held my attention." Read more

"Nicely written and well structured, will keep you deep in it for the whole reading...." Read more

35 customers mention "Narrative quality"23 positive12 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the narrative quality. Some find it compelling and suspenseful, with enough human drama to keep them engaged. The story flows well from chapter to chapter, moving the story forward. However, others feel the focus on Lance leaves little detail for other characters, making the story bland and not particularly exciting to read. There are also complaints that the narrative tone changes toward the end, injecting fantasy to improve its performance.

"...The reader is treated to a great story, a human tale, with a sophisticated program of cheating at the center, and then increasingly ambiguous..." Read more

"...This is a good entry, moving the story forward and taking advantage of recent developments to continue to add detail to the story...." Read more

"...But not particularly filled with revelations...." Read more

"...I still feel however that one of the most inspiring and moving episodes of bike racing ever witnessed was Lance's demolition-there is no other word..." Read more

32 customers mention "Sex scenes"20 positive12 negative

Customers have different views on the sex scenes. Some find the book insightful into the greed, ambition, and egoism of Lance Armstrong. Others describe him as a cheater, liar, and narcissist. The culture of cheating and corruption in the sport is portrayed as ingrained and broken.

"...This creates and feeds the cheating athletes. They form their own cult and do have cult following...." Read more

"...One of the great ironies of this, the greatest fraud in sports history (with the possible exception of the East German doping program), is that so..." Read more

"...is treated to a great story, a human tale, with a sophisticated program of cheating at the center, and then increasingly ambiguous layers of motives..." Read more

"A very good insight into the greed, abilities, ambition and egoism employed by Armstrong and his supporters to win the TDF and other cycling events...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on June 14, 2014
    Reed Albergotti and Vanessa O'Connell's "Wheelmen" is a well-written, documented, organized book, and an easy read. One needs not be a cyclist to follow most of the book, but one who has cycled will perhaps receive a more visceral appreciation for this work. As a former mountain bike and cyclo-cross racer, who has put a lot of time on the roads, I am neither an antagonist of, nor an apologist for Lance Armstrong. I remember a conversation among racing friends during the early 2000's about Armstrong and the professional peloton. While most defended Lance, one, with perhaps more insight than the rest of us commented, "they are all dirty".

    I will use a somewhat different tact with my review. My review will be more about feelings I had during the reading of "Wheelmen". If Albergotti and O'Connell's Wheelmen has any weakness at all, it falls short in categorizing the participants of the professional peloton as the cream of the crop, the best of the best, the elite, of the elite. You cannot take an average Joe off the street, allow him to blood dope, take PED's and put him on a bicycle and expect to get Armstrong's results. Both mental and physical toughness and a willingness to accept and work through extraordinary pain are required.

    What we had, were the finest cyclists in the world, all looking for that "advantage" over their fellow competitors. I recall cycling 3+ weeks in the mountains of Colorado and then returning to the "flatlands" and cycling with my club team. The extra blood my body produced to cope with the rarified atmosphere of Colorado gave me a distinct advantage within club rides, which wore off after a couple of weeks. It helped me understand the culture of doping in cycling.

    Blood doping and PED's not only affect performance, but also are important in regard to recovery. The bottom line is, one had a good chance of being out of a job in the world cycling scene if they did not dope. These were "ALL" adults who made the decision to dope, or not. As a reviewer, I am not condoning the process. Doping appears to have been rampant within cycling for a long time. Add Lance Armstrong to the mix, a self driven, rather egocentric individual, and unnaturally talented endurance athlete, who was willing to make the sacrifices to be great, as well as expecting those associated with him to make these sacrifices, and we have a story.

    Armstrong made a science of taking advantage of the system and contributing to the corruptness of the said system. He not only leveled the playing field for himself and his team, but also got that competitive edge through the best medical help that money could buy. I wonder though, if through it all, the punishment was greater than the crime. Armstrong's drive made money for everyone and every organization that became associated with him. His foundation provided hope and assistance for many without hope.

    Lawsuits that ruled in Armstrong's favor, with Bob Hamman and SCA promotions and The Times of London require restitution, now that the truth about Lance's doping is public knowledge. Money is one thing, but I have always felt that if Armstrong was indeed dirty, and he admitted to it, a large and sincere apology was in store for Greg LeMond. Armstrong had it all. Family, money, fame, property, idolatry and a continuing love for endurance competition. With his "headstrong" instance that he was clean, rather than cut deals when he could, he put everything he had into jeopardy. He could have been the most important vector for eradicating the specter of doping from professional cycling. He chose the dark side and put all that which he had sacrificed for at risk.

    One wonders why the apex of competitive greatness continues to seek edges that yield unfair advantages. Is it necessary? Did Marian Jones need PED's? Did Barry Bonds require steroids? An irony exists in punishments. Jones was stripped of her titles and did jail time. Armstrong was stripped of his titles, and an enormous amount of money thus far, and one wonders if jail time is in his future. Mr. Bonds? Why do the relatively minor sports of track and field and cycling follow through on punishments meted out, where the enormously wealthy organizations of MLB and the NFL all but turn the other cheek?

    In conclusion, Albergotti and O'Connell have put together a very well organized, documented, and readable book. They are neither scathing nor unfair of Armstrong, but report on what was observed and weave it all together in "Wheelmen". One can only hope that the moral of the story contributes to the complete abstinence of PED's in sport.

    As a postscript, Albergotti and O'Connell are both reporters for "The Wall Street Journal". One can only hope than one day we will read their book about the investigation, punishment and return of money to everybody hurt by those on Wall Street and the banking industry who all but caused a global financial collapse.
    39 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2014
    An excellent book which details the deceit of Lance Armstrong. I was in awe when I first read "It's not about bike!". Then I bought a book by Daniel Coyle "Lance Armstrong's War". I now remember how mesmerized I was when Daniel Coyle "reported" Armstrong's wattages. It felt so good and inspiring and hopeful to actually have this person in reality, a man who fought off cancer and through hard work proved to be the strongest and most enduring athlete!

    And then came the revelation...

    What this book does is that it takes you to the beginning just like "In the Beginning... Heavens and Earth". And I would dare to say that this is the most comprehensive yet concise history of the Cycling and Lance Armstrong's more reliable biography than "It's not about..."

    What you will find in this book is the history and evolution of doping in cycling and how the "Gang Armstrong" turned it into perfection with "surgical precision". Today Armstrong might be wondering what if he had adhered to Michele Ferrari's advice of not injecting EPO just below the skin (according to this book). He may never had a positive drug test.

    You will also see the border line egomaniacal behavior of Lance Armstrong to destroy anyone and everyone who dared to go for the truth. I believe that Armstrong has an amazing capability to just use and throw folks when their purpose is served. This is a man who is so self centered that one might really think that he needs to see a shrink! The book shows you the real lives destroyed by the myth named "Lance Armstrong". The only defense Lance Armstrong has come up with is that everyone was doing this. BUT he forgets that not everyone turned it into turned it into multimillion dollar enterprise essentially funded by fraudulent foundation!! AND not everyone raised the hopes and aspirations of beaten up cancer patients on false premise!!!

    The book also shows you the moral corruption in Press, Media and Sports Companies sponsoring athletes. No one in United States did real reporting when allegations were all over in European Press about doping by Armstrong. I now wonder that how is it possible that Sally Jenkins and Daniel Coyle never had any suspicion about doping when they had unprecedented access to Armstrong to write his side of the story. Now I am not a reporter but is it not your ethical obligation to seek for the "other side of the story"?

    This book also shows how big corporations who were benefiting from Armstrong's myth did not do due diligence when allegations were not going away in the Mecca of Cycling i.e. Europe. There is a cultural aspect also. Any American who gives more importance to opinions in Europe is almost viewed as a traitor of some sort. AND if that European country is France then Oh My Lord!! That will be the cardinal sin to trust French! Right? What I learnt from reading the book is that multinational Executives never asked a simple question face to face "Did you do it? or "Did he do it?" until the very last moment!

    The book also touches how much our propensity of Idol Worship creates and feeds the cheating athletes. We want o believe in miracles and ultra human possibilities and in pursuing such stories we will ignore anything and everything that comes in the way! This creates and feeds the cheating athletes. They form their own cult and do have cult following.

    The book also shows a financial connection between those handle IPOs and their own ambitions and die hard following of sports. I wish I had those kind of connections. Easiest way to score mega millions!!

    The book starts with the history of cycling in United States and please do not skip these pages because these pages are very essential to understand the whole "Armstrong" phenomenon.

    Why 4 stars? There are many quotes and materials which require referencing right at the bottom of the page or at the end of the chapter rather than at the end of the book. Also the book fails to dig deep into why all of sudden Federal Case was dropped. That is a question that is unanswered!

    Overall a must read!!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on October 12, 2024
    Well written and seems to be well researched. It goes back to the start of his career and offers objective information without actually trying to take sides. Loved reading it.

Top reviews from other countries

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  • Fernanda L
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excelente libro
    Reviewed in Mexico on December 19, 2021
    Muy recomendable
    Report
  • Rosieriveter
    5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive Re-telling Of The Armstrong Saga
    Reviewed in Canada on November 9, 2021
    There are many books on the topic but this one stands out for the scope and detail as well as the quality of writing. Probably a fair treatment of Armstrong while not pulling punches. The rot ran deep and wide.

    Highly readable and fascinating story even for non-cyclists.
  • Cliente Amazon
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wheelmen
    Reviewed in Italy on July 25, 2021
    The best book, together with the Juliet Macur's one, regarding the story of Lance Armstrong and the sophisticated doping program inside the US Postal Service. Wonderful!
  • Trevor J Ludeman
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book - although I knew nothing about road racing
    Reviewed in Australia on February 13, 2018
    Great book - although I knew nothing about road racing, that did not matter. With the authors preparing a very comprehensive book outlining Armstong's development from child to road racer along with the interview of team members throughout his career.
  • Richard Eloin Liebano
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fantástico
    Reviewed in Brazil on August 10, 2015
    Excelente livro! Atendeu às minhas expectativas. A qualidade do livro é muito boa e a capa dura aumenta a durabilidade.