Tour De France 2005 : CNN.com - What makes Lance Armstrong tick
What makes Lance Armstrong tick
Daniel Coyle chronicles 'Lance Armstrong's War'By Todd Leopold
CNN(CNN) -- Winston Churchill, who once referred to Russia as 'a riddle wrapped up in a mystery inside an enigma,' would appreciate Lance Armstrong.
The cyclist, who is pursuing an unprecedented seventh straight Tour de France title this month, is that most public of figures: a world-famous athlete. He has co-written two autobiographies, inspired millions to wear yellow 'Livestrong' bands on their wrists and become a popular advertising spokesman for companies including Subaru and Nike.
And yet he remains opaque, a man of intense will and action but apparently little introspection, single-mindedly devoted to winning, or pushing himself to his physical limits, or standing up for his causes -- which often happen to be the same thing.
'Here is this guy that you know but don't really know,' says author Daniel Coyle. 'He's such an amazing story, and you start to think, what else is going on in there?'
Coyle was determined to find out. The Outside magazine contributing editor moved his family from southern Alaska to Europe to follow Armstrong and other cyclists as they pursued the 2004 Tour de France title. Coyle chronicles the story in 'Lance Armstrong's War' (HarperCollins).
It wasn't easy. Cancer patients, attracted by Armstrong's triumph over the disease in the late '90s, seek a minute with the man as if his blessing could heal their wounds. Journalists, skeptical of his success, are determined to find proof of doping. (Armstrong, who has always tested clean, calls antagonists 'trolls.') And fans pursue him because ... well, because he's famous.
Armstrong is wary at the best of times, k
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