Wheelmen: Lance Armstrong, the Tour De France, and the Greatest Sports Conspiracy Ever

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Wheelmen: Lance Armstrong, the Tour De France, and the Greatest Sports Conspiracy Ever Page 42

by Reed Albergotti


  Smashing the Tour de France trophy: Interview with Landis and Will Geoghegan.

  Falling-out between Williams and Armstrong: “For Cycling’s Backers, Joyride Ends in Grief,” WSJ, 12/18/10.

  Armstrong’s accusation of extortion: Interviews with Landis, Will Geoghegan, and members of the Bahati team management, as well as e-mails between Arnie Baker and Armstrong about their conversations.

  Encounter between Tygart and Vaughters on the chairlift: Interviews with Vaughters and Tygart.

  Tygart’s missed warning signs: Interview with Tygart. In addition, Betsy Andreu recalls that after Frankie Andreu admitted to his own doping, Tygart contacted him, but didn’t ask him for information about Armstrong. Instead, Tygart asked about Landis. Betsy was annoyed. Why was Tygart so myopically focused on Landis, she wondered.

  Jeff Novitzky and BALCO: Game of Shadows, Fainaru-Wada and Williams.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Floyd’s preparation to wear a wire: Interview with Landis.

  The case against Michael Ball: Two people familiar with the matter.

  Zabriskie’s testimony on May 25: A person familiar with the matter.

  Novitzky’s subpoenas in the spring and summer of 2010: In some cases, people familiar with the matter told us under condition of anonymity, either because they were afraid of retribution for talking with us, or because it could jeopardize their careers. In other cases, such as that of Tyler Hamilton, riders themselves were open about their subpoenas and testimony.

  Doping itself is not a crime in the United States: The Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act does criminalize certain things related to doping. Transporting misbranded drugs, or drugs that have adulterated substances in them, can be violations of the act.

  Major sponsor contracts included clauses that prohibited the team from doping: These contracts didn’t include any language spelling out to the athletes that if they had doped, they could be prosecuted for fraud.

  LeMond’s subpoena: Interview with Greg LeMond.

  Michael Barry’s allegation of witness tampering: Barry’s 2012 USADA affidavit; interview with Barry in 2013.

  Rick Crawford’s reaction to the investigation and interaction with Armstrong: Interview with Crawford.

  Novitzky and the prosecutors on the closing of the investigation: People familiar with their thinking. “US Probe of Armstrong Dropped in Rare Fashion,” Daily Journal, 2/6/12. Doug Miller told the reporter: “More so than ever in my career, I would like to comment. However, I cannot.”

  Zabriskie’s interview with USADA: Interview with Bill Bock. According to Bock, USADA had been planning on moving forward with its investigation, regardless of the outcome of the criminal investigation. USADA wanted to bring a case against Armstrong while at least some of his Tour de France victories were still within the eight year statute of limitations.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  The whistle-blower subpoena: Court documents; people familiar with the matter.

  Bock’s phone call to Levinstein: People familiar with the matter.

  Armstrong’s point of view on USADA’s allegations: A person close to Armstrong.

  The views of Armstrong’s legal team: In their lawsuit against USADA on July 9, 2012, Herman, Levinstein, and Luskin wrote that Tygart and Novitzky share an “obsession” with nailing Armstrong, simply because he’s a “big fish.” They pointed to Armstrong’s “500–600” passed drug tests. “In its multimillion dollar zeal to ‘get’ Armstrong, USADA has been unable to turn up a single positive drug test from Mr. Armstrong,” they wrote. They called USADA’s arbitration process a “kangaroo court” and said that if Armstrong were given a fair proceeding, the allegations “against Mr. Armstrong would be revealed as unfounded.”

  Armstrong’s point of view in fighting USADA and filing the lawsuit: A person familiar with Armstrong’s thinking.

  Livestrong’s lobbying effort: “Livestrong Lobbyist’s Agenda Is Questioned,” WSJ, 7/16/13.

  Lance’s personal benefits at Livestrong events: “The Line Between Cause and Cult: Inside Livestrong,” Roopstigo, 11/21/2012.

  Clark Calvin Griffith’s case: “Ex-Law Professor, 70, Sentenced for Indecent Exposure; Claims Student, 24, Victimized Him,” St. Paul Pioneer Press, 7/26/12.

  Paul Willerton’s reaction to Armstrong: Interview with Willerton.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Nike dropped Armstrong: Nike wouldn’t comment on the circumstances of the firing.

  Armstrong and his attorneys’ point of view on the SCA suit and the whistle-blower case: Armstrong’s attorneys have been outspoken in public about their views on the Landis whistle-blower suit. Specifically, they say that the USPS was not harmed, and therefore any alleged false claims committed by the managers of the USPS team are null and void.

  Lance’s meeting with USADA: Former Colorado governor Bill Ritter confirmed the meeting, which took place at his office, and several others with direct and detailed knowledge about the meeting told us what took place.

  USADA’s agreement to write a letter to DOJ on the whistle-blower suit: This was discussed at the meeting in Colorado. One person with knowledge of the inner workings of USADA told us Tygart had been prepared to send such a letter.

  Adam Wilk and the Nike swag: Interview with Wilk.

  Armstrong’s legal team’s response to the Oprah interview idea: Two people who know Lance Armstrong explained that his legal team had issues with the Oprah interview. Two other people, who had direct dealings with some of Armstrong’s attorneys, also corroborated this fact.

  INDEX

  The page numbers in this index refer to the printed version of this book. To find the corresponding locations in the text of this digital version, please use the "search" function on your e-reader. Note that not all terms may be searchable.

  Abt, Samuel, 97, 118–19, 120

  Acceptance Insurance, 318

  Actovegin, 114, 139–140

  Agence Française de Lutte Contre le Dopage (AFLD), 196, 232, 232–33

  Allen, Mark, 43–44

  amateur cycling, 20

  Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO), 81, 224–25, 298

  American Flyers (1985), 33

  Amstel Gold, 110, 111–12

  anabolic steroids, 251

  Anders, David, 264

  Anderson, Mike, 166–67

  Andreu, Betsy: and Armstrong’s cancer, 86; and Armstrong’s Oprah interview, 311; Armstrong’s relationship with, 61, 111–12; and Carmichael, 248; deposition of, 205, 207; and doping, 86, 117–18, 183; and federal criminal investigation, 259, 261–62; and Girona location, 149; and Hamman, 204; and LeMond/Armstrong rift, 144; and sex life of Armstrong, 73–74; and Tour de France (1999), 117; and USADA investigation, 271, 292–93; and Walsh, 181–83, 187

  Andreu, Frankie: and Armstrong’s cancer, 86; Armstrong’s relationship with, 111–13; as Armstrong’s roommate, 60; deposition of, 205, 207; and doping, 69–70, 73, 117–18, 183; and federal criminal investigation, 259; and LeMond/Armstrong rift, 144; and Macur’s article, 216; talent of, 56; and Team Cofidis, 82; training of, 68; and USADA investigation, 271; and Walsh, 171–72, 181, 182–83, 187–88

  Andriol, 249

  Anheuser-Busch, 268, 276, 287, 293–94, 297

  Anschutz Entertainment Group, 245

  Appalachian Mountains, 98–99

  appearance fees, 65, 124, 276

  Applbaum, Lee, 236

  Armstrong, Kristin (formerly Richard): and apartment, 94; and Armstrong’s downfall, 297–98; and Armstrong’s Oprah interview, 311; and Armstrong’s philandering, 166; in Austin, 110, 124; and Casartelli memorial, 93; children of, 110, 149, 150, 176–77, 274; divorce of, 170, 174; and doping, 113, 149–150, 160; early relationship of, 90–91; and federal criminal investigation, 259, 266; in France, 98, 100, 104, 148; and Landis’s allegations, 249; marriage of, 95, 96–97, 99, 167, 174; and random drug testing, 150–51; and Tour de France (1999), 122; and USADA investigation, 293

  Armstrong, Lance: agent of (see Stapleton
, Bill); ambition of, 46, 65, 67–68; arrogance of, 3, 45; autobiography/memoirs of, 89–90, 125, 153, 164; and blood transfusions, 136, 137, 206; Camaro incident, 47–48; celebrity of, 124–25, 164, 174, 176–77, 221; character of, 90; children of, 110, 149, 150, 176–77, 233, 274; coaches of, 41 (see also Borysewicz, Eddie; Bruyneel, Johan; Carmichael, Chris; Testa, Massimo; Weltz, Johnny); competitiveness of, 106–7; divorce of, 176; and doping, 86–87, 94–95, 113–120, 134 (see also blood transfusions; EPO); education of, 47; ego of, 65–66; emotional volatility of, 44–45, 61, 67; girlfriends of, 66, 68, 73–74; health of, 83–84 (see also cancer of Armstrong); honors of, 163, 298; interviews with, 4–5, 308–9; marriage of, 95, 96–97, 99, 167, 174 (see also Armstrong, Kristin); mother of (see Mooneyham, Linda); motivations of, 99; physiology of, 180–81, 207, 208; post-cancer career tract, 97–99; pro career, early, 57–58; and retirement, 97–98, 197, 267, 282; return to pro cycling, 226–233; self-promotion of, 44; sex life of, 74, 96, 166, 210, 221–22; sponsorship of (see endorsements and sponsorships); teams of (see Discovery Channel team; Subaru-Montgomery team; Team Astana; Team Cofidis; Team Motorola; Team 7-Eleven; US national team; US Postal team); Tour titles stripped from, 241; VO2 max testing, 46, 98, 180, 181; youth of, 37–50

  Armstrong, Luke, 1, 274, 309–10

  Armstrong, Terry, 37–38, 39, 40, 45, 47, 99

  Ashenden, Michael, 208

  Associated Press, 163

  Austin: homes in, 148, 222; and Mellow Johnny’s bike shop, 223–24

  Azevedo, José, 9

  Bahati, Rahsaan, 244

  Baker, Arnie, 240

  Ball, Michael, 254, 256–58, 265

  Ballester, Pierre, 187

  Barnett, Kenneth, 131

  Barry, Michael, 149, 200, 268

  Basso, Ivan, 11, 190, 200, 202, 212

  Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative (BALCO), 251–54, 260

  Beloki, Joseba, 163, 173

  Berzin, Evgeni, 67

  Bicycling magazine, 238

  Birotte, André, Jr., 270

  Bissinger, Buzz, 288

  black market bike trade, 15

  blood transfusions: Armstrong’s denials of, 206; and Armstrong’s Oprah interview, 310; and Armstrong’s return to cycling, 231–32; early practice of, 30–32; and Ferrari, 152, 160, 161; and Landis, 14, 211, 249; process of, 15; and Tour de France (2000), 136; and Tour de France (2002), 160; and Tour de France (2003), 169–170; and Tour de France (2004), 13–17, 189, 193–94; and US Cycling Federation, 30, 32; and whistleblower lawsuit, 264

  Bloomberg, Michael, 35

  Bock, William: and Armstrong’s fall, 320; and Armstrong’s Oprah interview, 312; and Landis’s allegations, 13, 253; and negotiations on Armstrong’s ban, 304–6; release of investigation materials, 293; and USADA investigation, 271, 277–280, 284, 286

  Bonds, Barry, 252, 253, 265–66

  Boone, North Carolina, 98–99

  Bordry, Pierre, 229–230

  Borysewicz, Eddie: and Armstrong, 48–50, 51, 94, 99; background, 18–23; and blood transfusions, 30–31, 32; demotion of, 91–92; and doping, 26–27; and Gorski, 49, 82, 91–92; as head coach, 24–25, 26–27; and LeMond, 23–24, 25, 49; and Montgomery Securities team, 35–36; and Ochowicz, 29–30; and Olympics (1980), 26, 29–30; and Olympics (1984), 31, 32; and Settimana Bergamasca, 52–53, 56–57; and USPS sponsorship, 80; and Weisel, 33–36

  Botero, Santiago, 162

  Boxer, Barbara, 288

  Breen, Sean, 195, 210

  Brewer, Chris, 90, 91

  bribery and payoffs, 59, 141, 161–62, 249, 267, 296

  Bruyneel, Johan: and Armstrong’s competitiveness, 106–7; and Armstrong’s Oprah interview, 312; Armstrong’s recruitment of, 107–8; and blood transfusions, 16, 136; and doping, 16, 113, 153–54, 159–160, 186, 245; and drug testing, 232; and equipment, 185–86; and federal criminal investigation, 259; and Ferrari, 152; and Landis, 153–54, 156, 158–160, 168–69, 193, 243, 249, 255; and litigation, 317; and RadioShack team, 236; and release of investigation materials, 293; and Team Astana, 227, 233–34; and team doctor, 113–14; on Tour de France, 108; and Tour de France (1999), 123; and Tour de France (2000), 136; and Tour de France (2002), 158; and Tour de France (2003), 168, 171; and Tour de France (2004), 8–9, 178; and Triathlon training, 274; and USADA investigation, 271, 279–281; and whistleblower lawsuit, 276; and Zabriskie, 200

  Bucksbaum, John, 131, 146, 147, 218

  Burch, Tory, 221

  Burke, Ed, 30

  Burke, John, 144–45, 195, 225–26, 299, 316

  Bush, George W., 122, 164, 195, 198

  cancer of Armstrong: and attitude of Armstrong, 93–94; and cancer survivors charity, 90; diagnosis of, 84; early symptoms of, 83–84; and hospital room confession on doping, 86–87, 146, 182, 204, 205; and human growth hormone (HGH), 86–88; as motivation, 95, 97–99; and personality of Armstrong, 97; and subsequent cycling success, 118, 119; treatment of, 84–86

  Capital Sports & Entertainment, 223

  Carlson, Tucker, 203

  Carmichael, Chris: and Armstrong’s cancer, 86; as Armstrong’s coach, 52–53, 66; and Armstrong’s post-cancer career tract, 98; and Ferrari, 145; and junior world championships, 52; and Settimana Bergamasca, 53; and Tour de France (1999), 123; and Tygart, 247–48

  Carpenter, Ken, 77

  Carter, David, 128

  Carter, Jimmy, 25

  Casartelli, Fabio, 71–72, 93

  Cascade Cycling Classic, 100

  Cashin, Richard, Jr., 131

  Catlin, Don, 228–29, 230

  Celaya, Pedro: data collection of, 105; and doping, 92–93, 193; fear of detection, 102; released from Postal team, 113; and Team Astana, 230; and USADA investigation, 280–81

  celebrity: of Armstrong, 124–25, 164, 174, 176–77, 221; celebrity worship, 319–320

  Champions Club, 131–32, 133

  Chandler, Robert, 302

  charity events, proceeds from, 276

  Chiapucci, Claudio, 64

  Chicago Marathon, 282

  civil suits against Armstrong, 299–300

  Clásica San Sebastián, 58, 72

  Clemens, Roger, 265–66

  Clinton, Bill, 122, 124, 198, 260, 301–2

  Clynes, Tom, 89, 90, 126

  Conconi, Francesco, 72–73, 136, 141–42

  conflicts of interest, 237

  conspiracy allegations, 265, 280

  Contador, Alberto, 227, 233–35

  Conte, Victor, Jr, 251–53, 254

  Cooper Institute, 46

  Coors Light squad, 59–60, 170

  corticosteroids, 119, 120, 141, 296, 310

  cortisone, 63, 86, 114, 207

  Court of Arbitration for Sport, 241–42, 290–91

  Coyle, Daniel, 183, 212

  Coyle, Edward F., 180, 181, 207, 208

  Crawford, Rick, 41, 42, 45, 269–270

  Creamer, Stacy, 125

  criterium races, 42

  Crow, Sheryl: and Armstrong’s downfall, 299; and Armstrong’s image, 176; and blood transfusions, 189, 264; end of relationship with Armstrong, 210; and federal criminal investigation, 259; in France, 185; introduction to Armstrong, 174–75; and Ochowicz, 217; Saturday Night Live appearence of, 205; and Tour de France (2004), 12

  Crowley, William, 264

  CSC team, 199, 200

  Cunningham, Leo, 262–63

  Cycling News, 159, 296, 313

  Daly, Bryan, 259

  Damsgaard, Rasmus, 230

  Danielson, Tom, 198–99

  Daubert, Scott, 185

  Dauphiné Libéré, 93, 141, 158, 171, 186–87, 249, 287

  dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), 254

  Dell, Michael, 274

  del Moral, Luis Garcia: clinic of, in Valencia, Spain, 114, 130, 149, 189; and doping, 113–14; fired by team, 189; and steroid cover up story, 120; and team finances, 130; and Tour de France (1999), 123; and USADA investigation, 279, 281; and Zabriskie, 200

  Demand Media, 223

  de Vriese
, Julien, 15, 140–41, 179, 207, 291

  Discovery Channel, 299

  Discovery Channel team, 2, 197, 198, 199–202, 213, 226

  Disson, Steve, 79–80, 106, 123, 129–130

  Disson Furst and Partners, 106

  Docherty, Bevan, 272

  Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (2004), 221

  doping: Armstrong on, 86–87, 90; and Armstrong’s cancer, 87; Armstrong’s denials of, 140, 144, 203, 206–7, 235, 311, 312; Armstrong’s early use of, 63; Armstrong’s hospital room confession, 86–87, 146, 182, 204, 205; and Armstrong’s return to cycling, 229–232, 235; and Bruyneel, 16, 113, 153–54, 159–160, 186, 245; effects of, 62, 63, 110; ensuring security of drugs, 114–15; and Ferrari, 110; by Festina team, 101, 103, 118, 119; and French law enforcement, 101–2, 113, 140, 148; funds for, 15, 186; and Girona location, 149; hiding evidence of, 104–5; and International Cycling Union (UCI), 104–5; J.T. on, 165; and Landis, 4, 12–14, 16–17, 152–53, 159–161, 163, 192–94, 211–12, 215–18; LeMond on, 61–62; and retesting 1999 urine samples, 230; and team doctors, 92–93, 110, 113–14, 193; and Team Motorola, 62, 63, 69–70, 71, 72, 74; testing for, 119, 134, 149, 149–150, 232; and Tour de France, 101–2, 209–10; and Ullrich, 170, 212; and US Olympic Committee, 26–27; and US Postal team, 92–93, 94–95, 100–101, 103, 110, 113–120, 136, 139–141, 152, 153–54, 159–161, 163, 169–170, 189, 192–94, 217; and Zabriskie, 199–201. See also blood transfusions; EPO; human growth hormone; steroids; testosterone

  drug trafficking charges, 265

  Duffeleer, Geert “Duffy,” 15–16, 185

  Dutch TVM team, 102

  earnings of Armstrong: and appearance fees, 65, 124, 276; base pay, 2–3; and domestiques, 152; and financial exposure, 298–99; first million dollar paycheck, 59–60; and Motorola contract, 66, 68; and Olympics (1996), 70–71; and SCA Promotions case, 194, 204; and team finances, 130; and Tour de France, 108; and Tour de France (1999), 123–24; and Tour de France (2002), 163; and Tour de France (2004), 194; and US Postal contract, 106, 124. See also endorsements and sponsorships

  Eddie B, See Borysewicz, Eddie

  Eder, Scott, 41, 42, 44, 46

  Ekimov, Viatcheslav, 69, 83, 93, 135, 139, 236

  Emery, Brent, 30–31

  endorsements and sponsorships: after retiring from cycling, 268; Armstrong backed by, 151; and Armstrong’s earnings, 2; and Armstrong’s fall, 298–99, 307–8, 316; and bonuses, 75; and doping, 183–84, 210; and release of investigation materials, 293–94; and Stapleton, 70, 75, 183–84; and Tour de France (1999), 124, 126–27; and Tour de France (2004), 177–78; and triathlon competitions, 273–74; value of, 3; in youth of Armstrong, 3, 44, 46

 

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