The Secret Race - Book review

September 27th, 2012 9:34pm

The Secret Race

A story about the racing life of Tyler Hamilton by Tyler Hamilton and Daniel Coyle

In a sport that has been rocked with scandal, heresay, tattle tales and denials it would be good to get a little clarity.

In The Secret Race, I feel I am getting just that. The real truth about doping in the pro peleton from the prospective of one of the key players. Does Hamilton have something to gain from writing the book? Sure, he makes some money, but what is clear about the book, is that Hamilton gets to come clean. The book is not a tell all book to get others in trouble (although it does name names) or capitalize on the hype of the topic. In fact, you can tell that Hamilton has washed his hands of that life and made peace with his past. And an interesting past it is.

Author Daniel Coyle appears to have done an excellent job of researching the facts and being the voice of Hamilton. Reading the book I feel as though I was reading Tyler’s diary. Having watched most of the tours and races that Hamilton recounts, adds to the books relevance is even more interesting. The covers the rise of Tyler Hamilton’s career and how he coped with the doping dilemma.

If you’re interested in the topic of doping you will get a quick education on all the different tricks used and why some do and don’t work. If you’re interested in the truth, then The Secret Race is a must read.

NOTE: Daniel Coyle is a best selling author who has authored several books on cycling including Lance Armstrong's War and The Talent Code