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The Secret Race
- Inside the Hidden World of the Tour de France: Doping, Cover-ups, and Winning at All Costs
- Narrated by: Sean Runnette
- Length: 11 hrs and 19 mins
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Summary
Winner of the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award 2012.
On a fateful night in 2009, Tyler Hamilton and Daniel Coyle met for dinner at a restaurant in Boulder, Colorado. The two had met five years before while Coyle was writing his best-selling book Lance Armstrong: Tour de Force. But this time, Tyler had something else on his mind. He finally wanted to come clean, about everything: the doping, the lying, his years as Lance Armstrong's teammate on U.S. Postal,, and his decade spent running from the truth. "I'm sorry," he told Coyle. "It just feels so good to be able to talk about this. I've been quiet for so many years."
Over the next 18 months, Hamilton would tell his story - and his sport's story - in explosive detail, never sparing himself in the process. In a way, he became as obsessed with telling the truth as he had been with winning the Tour de France just a few years before.
The result of this determination is The Secret Race, a book that pulls back the curtain and takes us into the secret world of professional cycling like never before. It's a world populated by unbelievably driven - and some flawed - characters. A world where the competition used every means to get an edge, and the options were stark. A world where it often felt like there was no choice.
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What listeners say about The Secret Race
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Bleddyn
- 24-04-22
Listen to this along with David Millar
It’s never just as simple as you would think in the headlines, and this gives you the background of being a pro cyclist in the 90s and 00s. Very dark at times it must have been some weight to carry around with you. As Tyler asks what would we do for that extra % when you are almost at the top. Easy to listen and go no way but is that really the case. The worse aspect across the book is probably more the behaviour of Lance. It could do with an update to get Tyler’s input into where it all ended.
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- O'
- 03-12-13
A most engaging and interesting book. LISTEN NOW!
What did you like most about The Secret Race?
The Secret Race is an extremely compelling audio-book, I didn't want to stop listening!
Tyler Hamilton offers us an incredible insight into the cloak and dagger world of professional cycling. The issues and questions raised are not known to the general public, I was totally shocked at the lengths that some cyclists would go to in order to advance by a few minutes in a race.
The deeply personal and flawed relationship between Lance Armstong and Tyler Hamilton gives the book real substance.
Buy it now, you wont be disappointed. This book made me go out and buy a road bike.
What other book might you compare The Secret Race to, and why?
'Breaking The Chain' by Willy Voet. Similar subject matter as told by a behind the scenes team member.
What does Sean Runnette bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?
A very pleasant voice, which brings Tyler Hamilton across as a real and genuine person.
If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?
Tales of deceit and fervor as told from the saddle.
Any additional comments?
Just listen to it!
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- just another nameless guy
- 20-06-13
Loved it
Where does The Secret Race rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
gripping and really interesting, even if you know the ending!
What did you like best about this story?
Well paced and balanced
Which character – as performed by Sean Runnette – was your favourite?
n/a
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
the whole thing
Any additional comments?
Wish him all the best. An enriching listen
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- David
- 13-04-13
The Secret Race
As someone who has cycled as a hobby and is enthusiastic about the Tour De France, this book has been a real insight into the world of professional cycling and the extremes that riders and teams went to during the period that Tyler writes about. Having read other books including Lance Armstrong and Bradley Wiggins, this goes into the depths of the cycling world and makes the reader understand the pressures at the time that made these guys do what they did. Throughout the story he does not excuse his actions but explains clearly and with real thought about why what happened did and how the pressures from teams, other cyclists and the riders themselves increases with the desire for success. It's an excellent listen for those who want to get inside the world of cycling as it was and the lengths that were gone to for success at that time.
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- Mark
- 07-04-13
Eye Opening
The whole Lance Armstrong saga is now well documented. This was probably the catalyst that was responsible for the subsequent admissions by Lance.
It's interesting how Hamilton reveals his distress and inner turmoil when being treated as a hero, even though he had cheated. He cites one example of being introduced to a baby, named after him.
I would ask you try and have an open mind and accept that according to Hamilton and Armstrong there were many cyclists getting help.
Perhaps the comment later by Armstrong that 'To cheat means you gain and unfair advantage' can then be taken into some kind of context.
I'm not defending anyone, I was disappointed when it all came out, I hope for the Sports sake that its all been put to bed, but somehow I doubt it.
This book is a great read and a must or all interested in the sport.
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- Wireless up North
- 29-03-17
Eye-opening expose
A great story, charting a hopeful cyclist's introduction to the dark world of 1990s professional cycling and his eventual redemption. Tyler Hamilton is unflinching in his portrayal of himself and the pro cycling scene of his time. Despite his doping and duplicity at the time, Hamilton nevertheless emerges as a sympathetic and likeable character.
Far from taking over ancient history, Hamilton's story resonates strongly with todays ongoing efforts to present cycling as a clean sport. Sponsors continue to exert a powerful hold over the sport and teams remain pressured to perform.
Well worth your time.
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- O.B.P
- 27-04-16
Very honest account, well written
If you're interested in professional cycling this book is a must. Tyler comes across a really honest person and the book really does amaze the reader. Such a great insight into the side of cycling that wasn't shown on TV.
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- Rob
- 08-09-13
Cheats don't always prosper
What did you like most about The Secret Race?
The very honest and in depth detail that Tyler Hamilton talks about in this facinating account. I personally felt very let down by Lance Armstrong and this puts a lot of meat on the bones of that part of cycling history. Whilst Tyler is still a cheat at least he is doing something to put it right, unlike his other cheating counterparts..
What was one of the most memorable moments of The Secret Race?
The description of what it takes to win a bike race in the Tour, how and what top cyclists will do to win and how they dope to do it.
What about Sean Runnette’s performance did you like?
Nothing spectacular.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
Yes, i coudn't get enough of it
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- penny
- 18-04-13
Utterly AMAZING
You will not look at cycling the same way again. Utterly brilliant book that you will not want to stop listening to. Read extremly well too.
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- Garthy
- 27-09-16
For any true cycling fan...
A terrific and well crafted study and presentation of the story that has shaped cycling today. A real insight into the dedication, pain, temptation and suffering that pro cyclists experience in world tours...
Daniel has clearly taken the time to understand both sides of the story and has researched the subject comprehensively. You can empathise with Tyler. You can really put yourself in Tyler's shoes and feel his pain of having to collude with those close to him to succeed in his chosen sport and then have to tell all and confess to loved ones, losing some along the way. I've read and listened to this a few times now. Sean's reading voice is incredibly professional and relaxing and for me that makes this Audiobook top of my list.
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