Book SummaryWheelmen, by Reed Albergotti and Vanessa O'Connell

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Wheelmen

The transformation of cycling in America into a professional and commercial sector.

In "Wheelman," Reed Albergotti and Vanessa O'Connell delve into how cycling evolved in the United States from a niche pastime to a competitive activity that garners significant sponsorship and financial backing. The growth was markedly driven by athletes who enthralled American audiences with their outstanding achievements in European contests.

Greg LeMond's ascent to prominence.

LeMond's story is a pivotal precursor, illustrating how an American cyclist could achieve victory in the Tour de France while also expanding the financial base and increasing the audience that allowed Armstrong to rise and secure the significant income that was typical of his era.

Greg LeMond was the trailblazer who unveiled the economic potential of professional cycling to an American audience.

Guided by his Polish coach Eddie Borysewicz, Greg LeMond, a promising young cyclist, secured his initial significant victory by clinching the road race at the 1979 Junior World Championship when he was just eighteen years old. LeMond's victory established him as a prime candidate for the Olympic gold medal at the 1980 Moscow games. His hopes of achieving Olympic glory were thwarted when the United States chose to boycott the Moscow games, following President Jimmy Carter's decision, as a protest against the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan the previous year. At nineteen years old, LeMond began his professional career with determination, moving to France to participate in the competitive cycling events across Europe. Greg LeMond became the first American to win the Tour de France in 1986, following his initial stage wins in the event that began in 1983. In 1989, Greg LeMond secured his second victory in the Tour de France and then went on to claim the title once more in the esteemed competition the subsequent year.

Context

• Winning the Junior World Championship is a prestigious achievement that often signals a cyclist's potential to succeed in professional ranks. It can lead to increased attention from professional teams and sponsors.
• The boycott meant that many athletes, including LeMond, lost the opportunity to compete on one of the world's biggest stages, which could have significantly boosted their careers and international recognition.
• Some countries that participated in the boycott allowed their athletes to compete under the Olympic flag rather than their national flags.
• Unlike in the U.S., European cycling had a well-established professional structure with numerous teams and sponsorships, offering more opportunities for growth and success.
• The Tour de France is one of the most prestigious and grueling cycling races in the world, held annually in France and occasionally passing through nearby countries. It consists of multiple stages over a three-week period, testing cyclists' endurance, speed, and strategy.
• LeMond's 1989 win was a remarkable comeback, as he had suffered a near-fatal hunting accident in 1987, which kept him from competing at his best for two years.

The enticing deal involving Greg LeMond acted as a stimulus for U.S. investors such as Thom Weisel to make audacious moves.

Greg LeMond's remarkable achievements in the world of cycling propelled him to global prominence, which in turn enabled him to earn an annual income of $1 million and accumulate several million more each year from endorsements. LeMond's victory stood as a beacon of inspiration across the United States, proving that an American could dominate in a sport traditionally dominated by Europeans. It indicated that the sport of cycling, which was frequently ignored and rarely featured in the nation's sports broadcasts, possessed the potential to compete with traditional American sports such as baseball, basketball, and football, suggesting it could evolve into a lucrative and commercially viable industry. Following the successful public offering of Applied Materials by his company, Montgomery Securities, and a knee injury, Thom Weisel decided to take up cycling. He sought guidance from his mentor Eddie B, who had once steered him to victory in a masters race, aiming to assemble a team that could achieve victory in the Tour de France.

Context

• His achievements contributed to a cultural shift, encouraging more Americans to take up cycling both as a sport and a recreational activity.
• LeMond's ability to secure lucrative endorsements highlighted the potential for financial success in cycling, encouraging investors to consider the sport as a viable business opportunity.
• Greg LeMond was the first non-European professional cyclist to win the Tour de France, achieving this feat in 1986. His victories in 1989 and 1990 further solidified his status and demonstrated that American athletes could compete at the highest levels in cycling.
• The rise in cycling's popularity had a positive economic impact on related industries, such as bicycle manufacturing, apparel, and accessories, indicating broader commercial potential.
• Thom Weisel is a prominent investment banker known for his role in the growth of Silicon Valley. He founded Montgomery Securities, which played a significant role in the technology boom of the 1990s.
• Eddie Borysewicz, often referred to as Eddie B, was a renowned cycling coach originally from Poland. He played a significant role in developing American cycling talent during the 1980s and 1990s, contributing to the rise of competitive cycling in the U.S.

The creation of the cycling team sponsored by 7-Eleven.

The 7-Eleven team blazed a trail for American teams in top-tier cycling events, creating a pathway for riders from the United States to demonstrate their prowess in Europe.

Jim Ochowicz was unwavering in his determination to establish a financially sustainable American-based cycling team.

Jim Ochowicz, drawing on his experience as a former Olympic...

Wheelmen Summary Armstrong enhanced his athletic performance by following a regimen that included prohibited substances.

Armstrong's achievements were closely tied to the employment of substances that enhanced performance. This part outlines the progression of banned substance use in cycling, including the particular techniques and varieties of performance-boosting agents utilized. Armstrong consistently evaded detection in drug screenings over a prolonged duration, utilizing his relentless nature, strategic legal maneuvers, control of his public image, and his network of influential supporters, in spite of the significant risks and ethical and legal repercussions associated with the use of performance-enhancing substances.

The widespread use of substances that boost performance within the professional cycling community.

The authors describe a culture in which some cycling executives believed it was their right to do everything they could to gain an edge over their competition, regardless of the rules.

The dominance of European teams and government subsidies led to a skewed competitive field in cycling due to the prevalent use of performance-enhancing drugs.

Throughout much of the 20th century, European teams predominantly dominated international cycling competitions. Albergotti and...

Wheelmen Summary Armstrong's empire crumbled.

The story reveals how the once thought to be impregnable stance of Armstrong against allegations of doping steadily deteriorated, putting him in a precarious situation and under intense scrutiny.

Doubts were mounting, and an initial investigation had begun.

In 2005, when Armstrong retired from professional cycling, there was an increased emphasis on vigilantly overseeing the regulation of performance-enhancing drugs in the sport. The authors emphasize that the concern escalated in part because of an event in 1998 when the Festina cycling team became embroiled in a controversy after several of its members were connected to a vehicle filled with performance-enhancing drugs.

The escalating scrutiny from French authorities and the circumstances surrounding Festina.

France, recognized for its strict regulatory approach in comparison to other European nations, reacted to the Festina scandal by implementing a set of reforms that intensified its measures to combat doping. Previously, doping infractions resulted in suspensions; however, the issue intensified, leading to the possibility of legal action against cyclists, as well as their medical teams and staff members. The...

Wheelmen Summary Factors within society and culture that facilitated the collusion.

The authors dedicate a significant portion of their work to examining the factors and conditions that allowed Armstrong to keep his use of performance-enhancing drugs hidden for an extended period. Armstrong, though a pivotal character, flourished in a sports culture teeming with imperfections and dishonesty, which was further fueled by the public's relentless veneration for their champions.

People's yearning for a hero.

Armstrong's narrative, particularly following his fight against cancer, resonated deeply with the American consciousness. The authors portray his rise at a time when the American public was longing for a new sports hero, an individual who could restore true sportsmanship and integrity to a world of athletics tarnished by scandals related to performance-enhancing substances.

The story of how Lance Armstrong conquered cancer and his depiction as an underdog.

Many in the United States greeted the accusations that Armstrong had used performance-enhancing substances with doubt, maintaining their belief in his innocence. Armstrong was instrumental in elevating the foundation's reputation by intertwining it with his achievements in cycling, to the extent...