The Secret Race

Inside the Hidden World of the Tour de France: Doping, Cover-ups, and Winning at All Costs

By: Tyler Hamilton, Daniel Coyle

Narrated by: Sean Runnette

Length: 11 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

The Secret Race is a definitive look at the world of professional cycling—and the doping issue surrounding this sport and its most iconic rider, Lance Armstrong—by former Olympic gold medalist Tyler Hamilton and New York Times best-selling author Daniel Coyle.

Over the course of two years, Coyle conducted more than 200 hours of interviews with Hamilton and spoke candidly with numerous teammates, rivals, and friends. The result is an explosive book that takes us, for the first time, deep inside a shadowy, fascinating, and surreal world of unscrupulous doctors, anything-goes team directors, and athletes so relentlessly driven to succeed that they would do anything—and take any risk, physical, mental, or moral—to gain the edge they needed to win.

Tyler Hamilton was once one of the world’s best-liked and top-ranked cyclists—a fierce competitor renowned among his peers for his uncanny endurance and epic tolerance for pain. In the 2003 Tour de France, he finished fourth despite breaking his collarbone in the early stages—and grinding 11 of his teeth down to the nerves along the way. He started his career with the U.S. Postal Service team in the 1990s and quickly rose to become Lance Armstrong’s most trusted lieutenant and a member of his inner circle.

For the first three of Armstrong’s record seven Tour de France victories, Hamilton was by Armstrong’s side, clearing his way. But just weeks after Hamilton reached his own personal pinnacle—winning the gold medal at the 2004 Olympics—his career came to a sudden, ignominious end: He was found guilty of doping and exiled from the sport.

From the exhilaration of his early, naïve days in the peloton, Hamilton chronicles his ascent to the uppermost reaches of this unforgiving sport. In the mid-1990s, the advent of a powerful new blood-boosting drug called EPO reshaped the world of cycling, and a relentless, win-at-any-cost ethos took root. Its psychological toll would drive many of the sport’s top performers to substance abuse, depression, even suicide. For the first time ever, Hamilton recounts his own battle with clinical depression, speaks frankly about the agonizing choices that go along with the decision to compete at a world-class level, and tells the story of his complicated relationship with Lance Armstrong.

A journey into the heart of a never-before-seen world, The Secret Race is a riveting, courageous act of witness from a man who is as determined to reveal the hard truth about his sport as he once was to win the Tour de France.

©2012 Tyler Hamilton & Daniel Coyle (P)2012 Random House

Great listen

Great insight into the world of competitive racing. As an outsider who has no competed in cycling before, it gave me a new appreciation of the competitive landscape that these racers were in.

Only minor critique is that I would prefer to have a wider range of points of view (especially from Lance's camp), as the book leans more favorably on Tyler's point of view (the book is written about him after all). There are 3 sides to every story, and it would have been nice to hear if there was more going on behind the scenes. I believe the author referenced that Lance did not want to provide any comments or interviews for the book, which is understandable.

The Secret Race

What did you love best about The Secret Race?

It's validity.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Armstrong, because he is the main focus of the book besides Hamilton and people want to know weather he doped or not.

Have you listened to any of Sean Runnette’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I would say yes if that is what I wanted to do.

Any additional comments?

I thought the book answered some questions about the culture and secrets of some bicycle racers and bicycling clubs and organizations.

Not the same old story

Insider's account of cycling and doping culture. This book finally swayed my opinion on Lance's legacy. "Everyone was doing it" and "level playing field" do not fit a complete understanding of facts. With apparent willingness to sabotage other riders behind the scenes, one wonders if Lance was even the most talented rider on his team (if it were a level playing field). . . Tyler is a tough dude, his own story is interesting irrespective of his more famous former teammate.

A Must Listen For Cycling Fans

Where does The Secret Race rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I really enjoyed the story and was shocked by the behavior of the cyclists. If you think Armstrong is innocent, you must listen to this book. It is not a bitter tale, it is more a recounting of facts. Hamilton wants to tell the story because the truth lifts a burden from his soul.

Did Sean Runnette do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

I did not like the narrator. His inflection was "off" at times and I found it difficult to listen to him. If the story had not been so captivating, I wouldn't have listened.

Incredible story & details I never knew.

This is an incredible story of a sport that played by there own rules and believed they were right to do so. It also provided details of the performance benefits of performance enhancing drugs that I did not know. The book made me realize that those who used them in any sport had a very real advantage and a were cheating the fans from seeing real competition.

Could be a bit repetitive at times but overall very good.

the truth always comes out, eventually.

it's refreshing to hear the words of Tyler Hamilton. And I'm sure for him, it's good to get them out.

Behind The scenes

Where does The Secret Race rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Albeit one mans view, it took me from thought divided to clear opinion. How can one man dominate a sport with such arrogance and selfishness? However, without such character cycling would never have cleaned up. Thanks Tyler for sharing your experiences. Great story, I would have preferred a younger voice than Sean's.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Secret Race?

The complete Book

What three words best describe Sean Runnette’s voice?

Aged

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

From start to finish

Tyler's life in cycling

Tyler's story brings to life the behind the scenes actions of cycling. Enhancement has always been part of cycling. As the stakes have risen the techniques used to participate and win have gotten more sophisticated. Explores a darker side of human character - what would you do to stay in the sport you love

Pretty Good Reminder

This was headlines a few years back.

Much more has been revealed but it's still a great look into the peloton; the inner workings.

Focusses on the prime Lance years that were so fun to watch.

Could not put it down

I loved this book! The narrator was fantastic and the story was amazing. The story ia an almost unbelievable series of ups and downs, with elements of adventure and extreme emotional and physical highs and lows. At times I felt like I was training for the big race with Tyler Hamilton. I found Mr. Hamilton to be credible, honest and humble. I highly recommend this Audible book to athletes, young and old, professionals, leaders and anyone who enjoys human interest stories. I guarantee you will enjoy the ride.