Book Reviews: Racing Through the Dark, The Secret Race
I must admit to not having read most of the cycling memoirs in the Works. I may eventually but the local public library doesn’t carry any of them and never will so I’ll have to buy them or ask Frank to tote everything he has to Hawaii. I did get off my wallet and buy these two and it was money well spent. David Millar and Tyler Hamilton have produced two excellent cycling books, parallel stories in very general terms and times. The contrast of how two people in similar straits handle the truth and the divergent roads it puts them on is compelling.
Doping in professional cycling is still secretive enough that it is best told from someone all the way on the inside. Journalists will be lied to by cyclists. Federal grand juries do better at getting the truth but we usually don’t hear it. Cyclists who lived the lie and need to unburden themselves make a good conduit. I can’t begin to explain it as well as Tyler or David did; their inner world of professional cycling is nothing we hear much about. In the 1990s it was the wild west where the law was absent. Spanish “doctors”, syringes and mini-centrifuges ruled the day. It’s such a huge subject, too interwoven with passion and pressure, so much grey area. For a person like me who likes to talk about doping in black and white, I’ve learned how institutionalized and insidious it was (past tense, I hope). It’s not so simple. It’s tragic. To feed the young ambitious athlete into a system where there is no choice but to accept the drug system is criminal. When money is at stake and the UCI is complicit, as is team management, those are some criminals.
Racing Through the Dark-by David Millar. I’ll also admit to being a long time admirer of David Millar. He has always been well- spoken and not afraid to confront, two qualities I admire and personally lack, but they make a good writer. Millar is a military brat who found his cycling talent in the 10 mile British time trial club races. He ended up living his dream, riding on the Cofidis team, France’s well- funded but dysfunctional squad. He spent his first few years with Cofidis riding clean, yet watching how others “prepared”.
“In my youthful exuberance, I was telling anybody who would listen that I’d won in De Panne and broken the course record with a hematocrit of only 40 percent. I went to see Casagrande and his roommate, whom I refer to as L’Équipier (the teammate), so that I could show Casagrande the test results.
I stood there, a big grin on my face, expecting Casagrande to congratulate me and say something morale boosting. But he didn’t. After a pause, he handed the results back to me and then turned to speak to his roommate in Italian.
“Perché non é a cinquate?” Casagrande asked L’Équipier, puzzled, Why isn’t he at fifty?
No one talked about doping and no one talked about not doping. Eventually, after VDB self-destructed and Casagrande was busted, Millar became a team leader. And with that mantle came the responsibility to produce results, be a professional. And eventually he was implicated by a teammate, evidence was found, he was out of cycling, deeply in debt, and drinking his way to the bottom.
For some interesting video here is a recent Spanish documentary from the inner ring.
The Secret Race-by Tyler Hamilton and Daniel Coyle. Tyler Hamilton and I grew up in the same end of Massachusetts, he went to the same prep school @rob and I dropped out of, so I always felt slightly connected to him. So I was a fan boy and stood by his fantastic excuses for too long.
The whole wretched story of doping in cycling is right here. Tyler Hamilton cheated and lied for so long, it took until 2011 before he could tell his parents the truth. And despite his decade of lying, this book rings true. His reward was getting out from under the lie. I think he would have written the book for free just for the unburdening. He states many times the lightness of being after testimony and though he knows it’s very unlikely, hopes Lance can feel the same lightness that comes from telling the truth. This book is Tyler Hamilton’s story but it is closely linked to part of the Armstrong saga.
Like Millar, Hamilton was unaware of systemic drug use until he had joined the professional ranks. US Postal drugs were at first team- provided and paid for. Once you proved yourself as one of the best riders on the team, as someone who could help Lance win the Tour, you earned the right to use EPO. It is fascinating reading, it’s horrifying, it’s depressing. Most unsettling is Lance Armstrong’s behavior. There are many revelations regarding Armstrong’s psychotic need to win. I’ll share just this one.
Tyler was eased out of US Postal because he was too strong a rider and perceived as a threat to Armstrong. So Tyler left and signed with Phonak in 2004. There was a time trial up Mont Ventoux in the 2004 Dauphiné Libéré weeks before the Tour de France. Tyler beat Lance in the TT. Later during the Tour, Floyd Landis, who was still riding for US Postal rode along side Tyler.
“You need to know something”
I pulled in closer. Floyd’s Mennonite conscience was bothering him.
“Lance called the UCI on you,” he said. “He called Hien, after Ventoux. Said you guys and Mayo were on some new shit, told Hien to get on you. He knew they’d call call you in. He’s been talking shit nonstop. And I think it’s right that you know.”
This little story is amazing for many different reasons and the only good one is Floyd Landis telling it to Tyler. I’m guilty of saying some negative things about Floyd, mostly because he was such an idiot liar. But at a point, when he has nothing to gain and he has lost everything else and he starts telling the truth, he gains back my respect, just like Tyler Hamilton has.
I ended up reading these books one right after the other. As I said before, I recommend them both. David Millar is a better writer. He actually has more demons to battle than Hamilton so his story of redemption is inspiring. Tyler Hamilton’s story is more depraved (in a doping sense) but both books are important. A lot of people in cycling are now admitting to past deeds in very unspecific terms. These two authors are both shining lights into some dark corners and making the inevitability of drug use in cycling more human and understandable. Also, in reading these books back to back, it highlights the contrast in how these two people dealt with their fates.
Both had the bad luck to be nearly singled out as dopers when a large percent of the riders were dopers. Millar realized it was the doping that killed his passion for even riding a bike. He took no joy in his EPO-assisted victories, only a temporary satisfaction that the task at hand was completed. He decided to come clean and to become an advocate for clean racing and changing the corrupt system.
Hamilton could not admit to anyone but his wife (who already knew) that he had been a cheat. His lie was so crushing he couldn’t even see a way out. He then spent all his money and energy protecting the lie for years, for nothing, obviously. It was the threat of perjury in that finally broke open the dam. It’s a cruel lesson to learn; the truth will set you free, even if it takes forever.
@Leroy
I am not partial to the quick-link* myself. I did have it 3 years ago on an Camapgnolo 8-speed Pinarello Montello (SLX)
Maybe not common knowledge, but the SRAM quick-link (Black) works perfectly with the Campy Record-10… I’ve used this system with two chains (including my current) and have had zero issues. I don’t own a Campy Chain Tool. I’ve gotten about 6400 km out of each chain. The SRAM was easily half that… but of course, SRAM cost half as much. My LBS sells C-R-10 for $70… but as I said, it lasts easily 6400 km consistently.
Ha! I love this — Camapgnolo! Not really…
@JFT
I like the idea that it is Black. My bike being named Black Sword (really just Sword). I am gonna ask my bike shop Campagnolo mechanic about that one (to see his face) although I already trust you on this. I can trust you yessss…
@brett
I tried that tool without much success. Maybe I’m just clumsy. I ended up just putting a KMC 11-speed quick-link on the Campa (Chorus 11) chain. Has anyone else used the Lezyne 11s chain tool?
P.S. Why are we having this discussion in this thread?
@unversio
Black bike… X10SL DLC would be gorgeous on there, it’s all black. Just my $0.02.
Millar’s open letter to Rabobank via “de Volkskrant”:
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/open-letter-david-millar-responds-to-rabobanks-decision-to-leave-cycling
Makes you wonder how much the sponsors know and condone…..
http://www.volkskrant.nl/vk/nl/3184/opinie/article/detail/3334783/2012/10/20/David-Millar-Beste-Rabobank-jullie-maken-ontelbare-dromen-kapot.dhtml
This one’s for Frank…didn’t realize Millar’s Dutch was so good….
@unversio
@unversio
When my LBS called Campy to inquire, their response was… “don’t know, and don’t care.” So there you go. Anyway, like I said I’m on my second run using this set up, and I’m sold. I do have to edit my previously stated longevity comments… it’s actually more like 9500 km (~6000 miles) before I change out both chain and cassette.
@Leroy
I use Campy and Campy chains…I don’t own the chain tool because it is ridiculously expensive and totally unnecessary. The Campy chain tool is there really to stop you pushing the pin all the way out, but you should never do that anyway…i.e. just push the pin 80% out and bend the link laterally and the links will pop apart..et..Voila! Repeat in reverse to put back together.
In fact now I come to think of it, I don’t actually own a chain breaker apart from the little one on my multitool which has always seemed good enough…
@JFT
Changing the chain at 3220k. Next chain please. 3220k. Next chain please…
@Deakus
No Deakus no!
For all I know, there is a new Record chain already waiting in the tool box. That would be good if there were.
@unversio er..why..in the famous words of so many..”never done me any harm”..is there some catastrophic calamity about to befall me because of my ignorance in these matters. I could well be providing duff advice here so a little explanation would be much appreciated….?
Not “the little one on my multitool” — that’s all I’m saying. If you have a multi-tool solution then you are taken care of. Your’e good. For me, I will either acquire the proper tool one day or continue to take it to the bike shop to break and close a chain (crazy). But “I need to be independent!” I have the 3/8″ torque wrench and socket for changing the cassette — just need the recommended chain tool and chainring spanner for changing chainring sets.
@unversio Fair enough…I did check my multitool will specifically do 10 and 11 speed chains…fyi its a Blackburn Toolminator 2 and it is just about the best multitool I have ever had. Good Luck with finding the tools you want…I ended up with the “nut” for the rear cassette on my Centaur stuff it has been a brilliant and simple bit of kit.
Incidentally I may be way way behind the times but after 2 punctures today (glass on the road spotted too late) I am finally biting the bullet and going CO2 with a Genuine Innovations proflate elite…once my arms have recovered…I had a Topeak multi rocket thing that is meant to go to 160psi…yeah right! After about 3000 pumps I reckon…..I think I might be joining the 21st century!
@Deakus
I’m considering going absolutely HAM on my wheels and running sealant and tire liners, weight be damned! I’ve been burning through tubes so fast.
On topic: I am absolutely sick of the “level playing field” excuse.
I know that we’ve beat this fucking dead horse to death and then some, but I think this sums the whole thing up nicely:
Not sure if anyone has posted this up but it’ll serve as a nice warm up act before the UCI circus hits the news later. It doesn’t really have any bearing on the allegations of doping but it does paint a picture of a real charitable guy.
I was particularly amused by the author’s doubt as to whether LA had actually had cancer. it was a something that had occurred to me but I’d dismissed it as being way too cynical.
@Chris Sadly the reading of this has an all too familiar feel and as such he is, and will forever be, COTHO..
Wow, UCI does the sensible thing – shock !
Au revoir Lance.
1999 – Alex Zulle (Sui)
2000 – Jan Ullrich (Ger)
2001 – Jan Ullrich (Ger)
2002 – Joseba Beloki (Esp)
2003 – Jan Ullrich (Ger)
2004 – Andreas Kloden (Ger)
2005 – Ivan Basso (Ita)
2006 – Oscar Pereiro (Esp)
2007 – Alberto Contador (Esp)
2008 – Carlos Sastre (Esp)
2009 – Alberto Contador (Esp)
2010 – Andy Shleck (Lux)
2011 – Cadel Evans (Aus)
2012 – Bradley Wiggins (Eng)
Jan Ullrich becomes the first ever four-time winner of the Tour! Bet he didn’t see that coming!
@ChrisO From the highlights being reported on the Telegraph site it seems like they had a strong start but it seems that McQuaid’s answers are becoming increasingly woolly.
@Deakus
And it looks like the Brothers Grimpeur are running in to further problems…even their Dad wants them to shut the fuck up and quit now!
http://road.cc/content/news/69347-no-life-johny-schleck-advises-sons-fr%C3%A4nk-and-andy-quit-cycling
The worst bit about this in my mind though is that the UCI is walking away scot-free. Even McQuaid doesn’t have the decency to resign…
Looking at that list of winners above not many names without the doping stain…..
@Adrian I guess they are trying to limit the damage to the sport and save their own reputation as a governing body. I don’t agree with it but I can see why they are doing it. Ultimately I think they should rip the whole thing apart piece by piece through some sort of truth and reconciliation commission then draw a line and move on.
They could then go to the likes of Rabobank and be clear about the degree of commitment they really have to make cycling clean. At the same time they could hold up as examples those teams (winners or not) who they believe have ridden clean and make a very clear statement that not only would doping not be tolerated but also if you wanted to live by the Omerta, then you are not welcome either.
In short..flush the shit out, start a fresh and give some chance of getting the sponsors back and more cycling on TV and hence more cyclists inspired…
@Deakus I can really see where you are coming from but if it is true that they accepted 125,000USD to cover up positive tests, they should also be removed from the sport. Whole thing leaves a bad taste in the mouth, but you are probably right that this may be the least damage to the sport right now….
@Deakus
Amen to that! The sad thing is that what we are seeing now seems to be the culminating technilogical explosive growth of a culture that has been in cycling since the stone ages. Start fresh and change the culture.
@Oli
…weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with other delights, who put on ornaments of gold upon your apparel.
How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle!
@Oli
I gotta say, that list does nothing for me. I’ve got no problem vacating COTHO from the win column but to think of those dudes as winners doesn’t change the situation. I prefer to think of it like this – The TdF happened in the late 90’s to mid 00’s. It was fun to watch but now the doubts I had at the time are confirmed. I’ll still watch bike racing because it’s awesome and hope these new doubts go away some day.
@Marko I have seen WWF world champions with more legitimacy than any, yes any, of the replacement winners. Not a clean one there – except maybe Pereiro but he is Spanish so probably not
Shouldn’t rely on Oli for my news – 2 minutes of reading Cyclingnews makes it look like they will leave the years blank?
@Marcus
On a positive note, all the WCP DVD’s from that era are on sale! Yeah BABY, just in time for the winter roller sessions up here in the Northern Hemisphere!
@Marcus
Like a lot of things it’s not clear, yet.
According to the Inrng blog, who is usually very good at studying the UCI rules, there is no choice – if a winner is stripped of his title then it automatically goes to the runner up. No maybes, or decisions… it just does. Regardless of what Christian Prudhomme wants.
So in that sense Oli is right. After all Ullrich was banned from 2005 – if he is supposed to be awarded the title and isn’t, when he was not under sanction, could the UCI/ASO not be sued for wrongfully witholding prize money or the titles and and consequential loss ?
However according to the Guardian’s account of the McQuaid press conference he said there would be a meeting of UCI management on Friday to discuss the placings in the Armstrong tours and also issues like prize money recovery. After all, we wouldn’t expect them to come to a press conference with all the answers would we.
So that appears to still be an open point.
@ChrisO Makes me wonder if the COTHO will finally say, “Fuck it” and tell all that he knows. Man, he MUST know some dirt on some people that no one has told about yet (i.e. UCI, etc). I doubt that he will, though but there must be a few nervous people out there.
@Buck Rogers
That’s a good point – if he thinks they’ve done the dirty on him will he turn around and make sure they go down in flames as well.
Is it too early in the year to nominate armstrong for the rusty chain / anti v award? It could even be a special lifetime achievement award.
It would be nice for him to have something to replace all those tour titles with.
@motor city
More like a “shitty chamois” award. Stinks, and very uncomfortable both personally and for others until either cleansed or thrown away.
On a positive note… you can pledge 10 euros to become a part owner of the (former) Rabobank cycling team.
http://www.wijkopendeploeg.nl/?lang=en
They have 122,000 of a 5m target which is not bad for the first day. Not sure what you get for it – a stroopwaffel warmed inside Marianne Vos’s bibs perhaps.
@ChrisO
I find myself hoping that it plays out that way… no way COTHO was able to pull any of this shit off on his own. He’s just the tool on the bike, but the real puppet masters have to be sweating at this point. My guess is when he’s faced with “significant” financial blows or even jail time, he’ll turn informant, write books, do exclusive interviews, make a TV movie, and eventually walk away with more money than he started with.
My guess is Livestrong will be gutted and exposed as a financial fraud… donate to fund cancer awareness? I think not.
@ChrisO
You are not selling it very well! On the note of Armstrong telling all…really? Surely he has got to persuade himself that he has done something wrong yet…I think this about sums it up!
@Deakus
I’m surprised our Dutch Monkey Master has not held forth on this… the potential absence of a Dutch team from the pro tour.
It must be a long time since that has happened. No doubt Oli or someone can give us exact dates.
Maybe Frank is just liquefying his stroopwaffel assets before announcing they will become Team Velominati in 2013.
@Oli
Oh the irony!!!
@Oli
How this list should read…
@ChrisO
I doubt it… Even being the monumental douchebag that he is, he’s always tried to further cycling as a sport and blowing the lid off every he knows will only take the whole ship down that much faster. If sponsors like Rabobank are pulling out after two decades in the sport from just the “Lance” story, I can’t imagine there’d be anyone left to pay the bills if the entirety of the dirty truth ever came to light.
@Leroy
2000 – *
2001 – *
2002 – *
2003 – *
2004 – *
2005 – *
2006 – *
2007 – *
2008 – Carlos Sastre (Esp)
2009 – Alberto Contador (Esp)
2010 – *
2011 – Cadel Evans (Aus)
2012 – Bradley Wiggins (Eng)
More like this if we are going to remove winners/leaders who were doping and not replace them with the next in line.
Guess how he will return the 7 salad bowls? USPS – or maybe he goes back to his cool nickname – FedEx.
But this is all very sad – and just leaves me feeling ordinary. I dunno whether this makes me an Armstrong apologist but I wish the sleeping dogs were left lying.
@Buck Rogers Good point!