Cycle of Lies: The Fall of Lance Armstrong (36 page)

46 “Well, being young”: Ibid.

46 “We had to overcome”: Ibid.

46 “Lance is just what our country needs”: John Rezell, “Pedaling Toward Greatness,”
Orange County Register
, June 6, 1993.

CHAPTER 4

51 many team doctors write: Interviews with cyclists and antidoping experts, 2013.

52 Through the early 1900s: Christopher S. Thompson,
The Tour de France: A Cultural History
(Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press, 2006), 225–26; Roger Bastide,
Doping: Les surhommes du velo
(Paris: Raoul Solar, 1970), 37, 39, 63–64, 99; Patrick Laure,
Le dopage
(Paris: Presses Universitaires de France, 1995), 26, 49, 59–60, 63–65, 69, 71, 75.

52 The abuse of those drugs: Thompson,
The Tour de France
, 190–91; Albert Londres, “Les Forçats de la Route,”
Le Petit Parisien
, June 27, 1924.

52 Amphetamines became popular: Thompson,
The Tour de France
, 229; Bastide,
Doping
, 86–87; Russell Mockridge, completed by John Burrowes, My
World on Wheels: The Posthumous Autobiography of Russell Mockridge
(London: Stanley Paul, 1960), 96, 131; Mondenard,
Dopage
(Paris: Editions Chiron, 2006), 23, 105–7, 169–70; Noret,
Le dopage
(Paris: Editions Vigot, 1990), 32–33.

52 French rider Jean Malléjac collapsed: Bill and Carol McGann,
The Story of the Tour de France
, Volume 1: 1903–1964 (Indianapolis: Dog Ear Publishing, 2006), 211.

53 amphetamine-fueled breakdown: Thompson,
The Tour de France
, 228.

53 Roger Rivière, landed in a tangle: McGann,
The Story of the Tour de France
, 247–48.

53 Five-time Tour winner:
Sports Illustrated
, “Something Extra on the Ball,” June 30, 1969.

53 a group of cyclists, doctors, lawyers: Thompson,
The Tour de France
, 231–32; Guillet,
Le doping de l’homme et du cheval
(Paris: Masson & Cie., 1965) 3-4, 83-85; Rapp,
Le doping des sportifs
(Paris: Editions Médicales et Universitaires, 1977), 105, 167.

53 Led by Anquetil: Thompson,
The Tour de France
, 233–34;
L’Humanité
, June 30, 1966;
Le Monde
, July 1, 1966;
Le Parisien Libéré
, June 30, 1966.

54 “Get me up”: McGann,
The Story of the Tour de France
, Volume 1.

54 An autopsy report: Thompson,
The Tour de France
, 237.

54 one unpublished Swedish study: Randy Starkman, “New Wonder Drug May Speed Athletes to the Killing Fields,”
Toronto Star
, April 27, 1991; Lawrence M. Fisher, “Stamina-Building Drugs Linked to Athletes’ Deaths,”
New York Times
, May 19, 1991.

55 “Mister 60 Percent”: Jeremy Whittle, “Bjarne Riis’s Year Without Lying,”
New York Times
, May 2, 2008.

55 five Dutch riders: William Leith,
Independent
, July 1, 1991.

55 at least eighteen professional European: Starkman, “New Wonder Drug May Speed Athletes to the Killing Fields.”

55 “Stamina-Building Drug Linked”: Fisher, “Stamina-Building Drugs Linked to Athletes’ Deaths.”

56 Riders said they’d never heard of it: Interview with Don Catlin, 2013.

56 Seven years later: Interview with Lance Armstrong, 2013.

57 Borysewicz and other team officials: Robert McG. Thomas Jr., “USOC Checking Use of Transfusions,”
New York Times
, January 10, 1985; Bjarne Rostaing and Robert Sullivan, “Triumphs Tainted with Blood,”
Sports Illustrated
, January 21, 1985.

57 Four went on to win medals: Rostaing and Sullivan, “Triumphs Tainted with Blood.”

57 Each of them would eventually: Charles Pelkey, “Wenzel Denies Charges,”
VeloNews
, April 3, 2001. Charles Pelkey, “Six Years Later, Strock Case Comes to Court,”
VeloNews
, April 18, 2006; interviews with two of the cyclists on the national team at the time the alleged doping occurred. They did not want their names published.

59 “like a god to me”: J.T. Neal audiotapes, 2000–2002.

59 There, he mixed, matched: Interview with John Hendershot, 2013.

60 If Hendershot was his own lab rat: Ibid.

60 Both
soigneur
and rider were willing: Ibid.

63 the process was overseen: Ibid.; J.T. Neal audiotapes.

63 it was at least quasi-official: Interviews with Stephen Swart and John Hendershot; J.T. Neal audiotapes.

63 Hendershot trusted Testa: Interview with John Hendershot, 2013.

63 All became patients: J.T. Neal audiotapes; interview with George Hincapie, 2013.

63 Armstrong believed: Interviews with Lance Armstrong, 2013; Oprah Winfrey interview with Lance Armstrong, 2013.

63 As Hendershot had done: Interview with John Hendershot, 2013.

64 “I don’t prescribe”: Jean-Michel Rouet, interview with Michele Ferrari,
L’Equipe
, April 1994.

64 Armstrong, Andreu, Hincapie and: Interview with Max Testa, 2006.

65 “People are trying to”: Ibid.

65 “If you want to use a gun”: Ibid.

65 “This is bullshit”: Interview with George Hincapie, 2013; Hincapie’s affidavit in USADA case.

65 “I’m getting my ass kicked”: Interview with Frankie Andreu, 2013; affidavit of Frankie Andreu in USADA case.

66 They agreed it was time for EPO: Interviews with Stephen Swart, 2006 and 2013; interview with Frankie Andreu, 2013; affidavit of Frankie Andreu in USADA case.

66 Riders carried thermos jugs: Interviews with various riders, including Christian Vande Velde, Jonathan Vaughters and George Hincapie, 2013.

67 an ultimatum: Interviews with Stephen Swart, 2006 and 2013.

67 Armstrong himself claims: Interview with Lance Armstrong, 2013.

67 Testa gave him: Ibid.

68 The drug was available: Interview with Lance Armstrong, 2013; interview with Stephen Swart, 2013; interview with George Hincapie, 2013.

68 Testa was constantly giving: J.T. Neal audiotapes.

69 He would smile nervously: Interviews with Jim Ochowicz, 2005, 2009 and 2010.

69 Armstrong said Motorola’s EPO use: Interview with Lance Armstrong, 2013.

70 team employees showed up: Interviews with Stephen Swart, 2006 and 2013.

70 Swart saw that most: Stephen Swart affidavit in USADA case; interview with Stephen Swart, 2013.

70 Andreu’s was at about 50: Ibid.

71 The telephone call came: Interview with Kathy and Greg LeMond, 2006.

71 “He died for what?” Interview with Greg LeMond, 2013.

CHAPTER 5

72 In the fall of 1995: J.T. Neal audiotapes.

72 “Lance, don’t get greedy”: Ibid.

72 Armstrong had nearly $750,000: J.T. Neal audiotapes and documents.

73 He had asked Eddy: Interview with Lance Armstrong, 2013.

73 come from Texas: Interview with the former Monica Buck, 2013.

73 “too opinionated”: J.T. Neal audiotapes.

73 some of Ferrari’s clients: Ibid.

73 Merckx’s son, Axel: E-mail from Axel Merckx, December 1, 2013.

73 The IOC had paid him: Paul Howard, “Past That Haunts Roche,”
Sunday Tribune
, April 4, 2004; David Walsh, “Sports Chief Hails Drug Code,”
Sunday Times
, March 9, 2003.

74 “amazing, amazing,” J.T. Neal audiotapes.

74 $10,000 for the consultation: Ibid.

74 under investigation by Italian: Interview with an Italian investigator involved in the inquiry, who didn’t want his name published because he isn’t authorized to speak about the case.

74 he talked nonstop: J.T. Neal audiotapes.

74 who had been overseeing: Interview with Lance Armstrong, 2013; interview with John Hendershot, 2013; Ibid.

74 persuaded the forensic doctor: Richard Weekes, “The Hard Truth Behind a Waste of Life,”
Sunday Times
, July 23, 1995.

75 “It’s not about the bike”: Armstrong, with Jenkins,
It’s Not About the Bike
, 71.

75 the fax machine: J.T. Neal audiotapes.

75 that relationship was just a cover: Ibid.; interviews with several Motorola, Postal Service and Astana riders who never saw Carmichael working with Armstrong; interview with a former RadioShack team employee who was told by Armstrong that Carmichael hadn’t coached him since Ferrari took over.

76 He offered a low commission: J.T. Neal audiotapes; interview with a person with knowledge of the situation.

76 third marriage was crumbling: Armstrong Kelly, with Rodgers,
No Mountain High Enough
, 214.

76 Neal thought Armstrong: J.T. Neal audiotapes.

76 Armstrong grew increasingly: Ibid.

77 But he didn’t: Ibid.

77 Linda Armstrong and Neal had flown: Ibid.; interview with Greg and Kathy LeMond, 2006.

77 “How do I get Lance”: Interview with Greg and Kathy LeMond, 2006.

78 “I couldn’t breathe”: Samuel Abt, “Armstrong Without Power, Withdraws from the Tour de France,
” New York Times
, July 6, 1996.

78 Doctors gave Neal: Interviews with Scott and Caroline Neal, two of J.T. Neal’s three children, 2013.

78 “He needed it for privacy”: J.T. Neal audiotapes.

78 Neal watched as Hendershot: Ibid.

78 Armstrong was already: Interview with Lance Armstrong, 2013; Betsy Andreu deposition in
Lance Armstrong v. SCA Promotions, Inc
., January 17, 2006.

79 He had even negotiated: J.T. Neal audiotapes.

80 On October 2, 1996: Ibid.

80 “Well, this is a serious situation”: Armstrong, with Jenkins,
It’s Not About the Bike
.

80 Between 5:30 and 5:45 p.m.: J.T. Neal audiotapes.

80 Ferrari was worried: Selena Roberts and David Epstein, “The Case Against Lance Armstrong,”
Sports Illustrated
, January 24, 2011.

81 “It’s bad”: Interview with John Korioth, 2013.

81 must have had something: Interview with John Hendershot, 2013.

81 The riders. The team managers: Ibid.

81 Hendershot never called: J.T. Neal audiotapes; interviews with John Hendershot and Lance Armstrong, 2013.

CHAPTER 6

84 “You can’t control”: Interview with Betsy Andreu, 2006.

86 He said, “Growth hormone”: Ibid.; Betsy Andreu deposition in
Lance Armstrong v. SCA Promotions, Inc
., January 17, 2006.

87 “Betsy, please, I’ve never taken”: Interview with Betsy Andreu, 2006.

87 Several of his former teammates: Interviews with Stephen Swart, Lance Armstrong and two other Motorola riders who wanted to remain anonymous because they didn’t want to be seen tattling on a former teammate, 2013.

88 Men have a 1-in-270: American Cancer Society, Web site primer on testicular cancer.

88 Growth hormone stimulates: Interview with Dr. Arjun Vasant Balar, 2013.

88 a research paper: Lucio Tentori and Grazia Graziani, Department of Neuroscience, University of Rome Tor Vergata, “Doping with Growth Hormone/IGF-1, Anabolic Steroids or Erythropoietin: Is There a Cancer Risk?” January 26, 2007.

CHAPTER 7

89 Stapleton suggested: J.T. Neal audiotapes; interview with a person with knowledge of the situation, but who wants to remain anonymous because of ongoing business dealings with Stapleton’s firm and wanting to remain in Stapleton’s good graces.

90 Knaggs encouraged: Interview with John Korioth, 2013.

90 he offered $200: J.T. Neal audiotapes and several interviews with people who were friends with both Neal and Armstrong, 2013.

92 Neal’s oldest daughter: Interviews with the Neal family, 2013.

93 Kevin Kuehler, a competitive: Bonnie DeSimone, “From ‘Big C’ Back to Big-Time Cycling,”
Chicago Tribune
, February 7, 1998.

93 “Did you call for my advice”: Ibid.

94 “I think it’s phenomenal”: Ibid.

94 On his blog: runfordori.blogspot.com/2007/08/lance-issues-wake-up-call.html.

94 “I don’t like that big frenzy”: Interview with Lance Armstrong, 2013.

95 “Where are you?”: J.T. Neal audiotapes; interviews with Neal’s family, 2013.

95 “Um, I can’t make it:” J.T. Neal audiotapes.

95 He had backstage passes: Ibid.

95 to help figure out: J.T. Neal audiotapes.

96 who had been replaced: Ibid.

96 He doubted his drug: Interview with John Korioth, 2013.

97 Weisel accepted: Armstrong, with Jenkins,
It’s Not About the Bike
, 184.

97 “Lance isn’t just a cyclist”: Suzanne Halliburton, “Austin Cyclist Back on Track After Cancer,”
Austin American-Statesman
, October 27, 1997.

98 “Look how he got it”: J.T. Neal audiotapes.

98 he was looking for a way: Ibid.

99 Garvey offered: Ibid.

CHAPTER 8

100 Steffen had been in: Interview with Prentice Steffen, 2013; David Walsh, “Saddled with Suspicion,”
Sunday Times
, July 8, 2001.

100 Steffen considered this: Interview with Prentice Steffen, 2013.

101 which was known as: Interview with Jonathan Vaughters, 2013; interview with Christian Vande Velde, 2013.

101 Darren Baker and Scott Mercier went: Interviews with Darren Baker and Scott Mercier, 2013.

102 At the 1992 Olympics, he received: Affidavit of George Hincapie in USADA case.

103 he saw a Belgian: Interview with George Hincapie, 2013.

103 Another teammate: Ibid.

105 so fierce that: Matt Smith and Lance Williams, Center for Investigative Reporting, “Will Thomas Weisel, Who Owns Lance Armstrong’s U.S. Postal Team, Get Charged With Fraud?”
Bloomberg Businessweek
, January 15, 2013.

105 Baker said: Interview with Darren Baker, 2013.

105 Armstrong feared that: Matt Lawton, “She Was the Whistleblower Who Hauled Him Down, Lance Armstrong Was the Drug Cheat, So What Happened When They Were Brought Together Again by MailOnline?”
Daily Mail
, November 18, 2013.