We Might As Well Win

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Johan Bruyneel knows what it takes to win. In 1998, the former pro cyclist backed a struggling rider and determined that he would win the world’s most famous race. ‘If we’re going to ride the Tour,’ he said, ‘we might as well win.’ In that moment, a dynasty was born. With Bruyneel as his team director, Lance Armstrong, having recovered from cancer, seized a record seven straight Tour de France victories. Meanwhile, Bruyneel went on to prove he could win without his superstar, winning the Tour de France title in 2007 with a young new team. This is the first time the man closest to Armstrong has unveiled his secrets. We are privy to the many ways he and Armstrong outsmarted their opponents through intense preparation and training, as well as bluff on occasions. Whether mounting a difficult climb, managing a team of 30 riders and 40 support staff from a miniature car hurtling along narrow European roads, or looking a future legend in the eye and willing him to believe, Bruyneel is the consummate winner and this is his story.

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Johan Bruyneel is a former professional cyclist and was the team director from 1999 to 2007 for the US postal service pro cycling team, which later became the Discovery Channel team. Bill Strickland is the executive editor of Bicycling, the world’s leading cycling magazine, and he has ridden and written about cycling for 20 years.