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The Race to Truth: Blowing the whistle on Lance Armstrong and cycling's doping culture
When Emma O'Reilly joined the US Postal cycling team in 1996, she could have had no idea how she would become a central figure in the biggest doping scandal in sporting history. Yet when Lance Armstrong, starting his comeback from cancer, signed for US Postal, it was Emma, the only woman on the team, who became his personal soigneur. This is the definitive inside story of that time, and of the enormous repercussions that resonate to this day for Emma, Lance and the whole sport.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published July 3, 2014
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114 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
August 25, 2017
The Race to Truth may not be the most eloquent or well written book on "the most sophisticated, professional and successful doping program that sport has ever seen", but the complete candor and guilelessness of Emma O'Reilly captivated this reader as I was taken on a fresh and insightful journey into the dark, sordid world of professional cycling.
Certainly Emma O'Reilly was and still is subject to Lance Armstrong's Steve Jobs like reality distortion field (aptly referred to as caught in Lance's slipstream), but ultimately this is a more a story about forgiveness than redemption.
This is not just a tale about an imperfect man maligned by his own greed and hubris, but more so a condemning indictment of a once beautiful sport rotten to the core.
Certainly Emma O'Reilly was and still is subject to Lance Armstrong's Steve Jobs like reality distortion field (aptly referred to as caught in Lance's slipstream), but ultimately this is a more a story about forgiveness than redemption.
This is not just a tale about an imperfect man maligned by his own greed and hubris, but more so a condemning indictment of a once beautiful sport rotten to the core.
March 30, 2017
I like sport and I like books but one thing I generally do not like at all is sports books.
There’s that little matter of sportsmen and women writing autobiographies for the same reasons they go to open a carpet factory or wear a particular watch: it pays.
They don’t realise books are something special. They are about truth.
Years ago, I read Lance Armstrong’s first book, It’s Not About The Bike. I looked at it again when he finally admitted his doping, and there it was in black and white: a denial.
That, for me, was the worst part. I don’t mind that he denied it on television and in the printed media. I expected that. But in a book? He didn’t have to write that book, or any of its sequels. No one made him, although his agent and bank manager were probably very happy.
But to tell lies in a book that will be around for longer than the writer? It shouldn’t happen.
I had previously read two other books on the subject of Lance Armstrong and doping: Tyler Hamilton’s The Secret Race, and Seven Deadly Sins by David Walsh. Hamilton’s is the best, but Walsh, the Sunday Times journalist who did as much as anyone to expose the scandal, also wrote a decent book, although his hatred of Armstrong came across a little too strongly for me.
Emma O’Reilly’s The Race to Truth is certainly not in their class. It is nowhere near as well written as the other two and in the early parts at least, dwells on matters which don’t particularly interest me.
However, by the time I’d finished it, I realised it had something to set it apart from those other two. O’Reilly suffered as much as anyone from Armstrong’s behaviour – he falsely called her a whore and an alcoholic in a court deposition – but today she doesn’t hate him for it. She remembers how well they got on when the going was good, and has accepted his apologies and recognises that the world, especially that of cycling, is a hard and dirty place.
In fact one of the most interesting aspects of the book is the tales of how Walsh himself used her, and did very nicely out of it himself. When she first spoke to the Sunday Times’ journalist, she was under the impression his book, LA Confidentiel, would be about the whole problem of doping in cycling, not just Armstrong, and that she would one of a number of sources for his first book on the subject. In fact, she was the only one to be named. Facts he somehow failed to make sure she understood.
I see this as the necessary and inevitable tactics of a man who at least had right on his side, but if I was O’Reilly I’d see him as another person just out for himself.
So, not the greatest book ever written but O’Reilly reminded me that there’s always another side to an argument, in fact many sides, and her view of the whole Armstrong affair is probably as mature and wise as you will find.
Read my other reviews (and stuff about cycling) at booksandbikes.co.uk
There’s that little matter of sportsmen and women writing autobiographies for the same reasons they go to open a carpet factory or wear a particular watch: it pays.
They don’t realise books are something special. They are about truth.
Years ago, I read Lance Armstrong’s first book, It’s Not About The Bike. I looked at it again when he finally admitted his doping, and there it was in black and white: a denial.
That, for me, was the worst part. I don’t mind that he denied it on television and in the printed media. I expected that. But in a book? He didn’t have to write that book, or any of its sequels. No one made him, although his agent and bank manager were probably very happy.
But to tell lies in a book that will be around for longer than the writer? It shouldn’t happen.
I had previously read two other books on the subject of Lance Armstrong and doping: Tyler Hamilton’s The Secret Race, and Seven Deadly Sins by David Walsh. Hamilton’s is the best, but Walsh, the Sunday Times journalist who did as much as anyone to expose the scandal, also wrote a decent book, although his hatred of Armstrong came across a little too strongly for me.
Emma O’Reilly’s The Race to Truth is certainly not in their class. It is nowhere near as well written as the other two and in the early parts at least, dwells on matters which don’t particularly interest me.
However, by the time I’d finished it, I realised it had something to set it apart from those other two. O’Reilly suffered as much as anyone from Armstrong’s behaviour – he falsely called her a whore and an alcoholic in a court deposition – but today she doesn’t hate him for it. She remembers how well they got on when the going was good, and has accepted his apologies and recognises that the world, especially that of cycling, is a hard and dirty place.
In fact one of the most interesting aspects of the book is the tales of how Walsh himself used her, and did very nicely out of it himself. When she first spoke to the Sunday Times’ journalist, she was under the impression his book, LA Confidentiel, would be about the whole problem of doping in cycling, not just Armstrong, and that she would one of a number of sources for his first book on the subject. In fact, she was the only one to be named. Facts he somehow failed to make sure she understood.
I see this as the necessary and inevitable tactics of a man who at least had right on his side, but if I was O’Reilly I’d see him as another person just out for himself.
So, not the greatest book ever written but O’Reilly reminded me that there’s always another side to an argument, in fact many sides, and her view of the whole Armstrong affair is probably as mature and wise as you will find.
Read my other reviews (and stuff about cycling) at booksandbikes.co.uk
September 13, 2017
Along with books, I also love road cycling - and therefore I've read pretty much every book going about the Lance Armstrong saga. The market is unsurprisingly saturated. But when I got the opportunity to read The Race To Truth by US Postal's former soigneur, Emma O'Reilly, I took it.
Emma's straightforward, non-nonsense, account of her time as a soigneur and of her role in unveiling the truth about Lance Armstrong and doping in cycling is engaging and fresh despite the material being largely familiar to anyone who has followed the saga closely. It's both brutal about Armstrong as a person and as a doper, but his also places his performance drug abuse in the context of the sport at the time. It's interesting that Armstrong himself provides the foreword to the book as he doesn't come out of it well- but O'Reilly does commend both his charitable activities and still seems to feel guilt about telling the truth about what was happening at US Postal. Once again, the true villains of the tale appear to be those behind the team who were enabling and encouraging the doping even though it's the riders themselves who have suffered (of course, they are not blameless but they have largely faced punishment where others have not). Overall it's a good story, and I enjoyed reading it, but it's unfortunate for O'Reilly that her evidence has appeared before and that it's taken until now for her version to be published as I think the public (and me from my own personal standpoint) have heard the story too many times and want cycling to move on. It doesn't add much that's new, but it is probably the closest account you can get to US Postal and the most nuanced. If you've already read lots about Armstrong, it might be a bit too familiar- but if you've not read about it before, this would be an excellent introduction.
Once again, I was sent this via @netgalley from Thistle Publishing in return for my honest review and this has not affected my review in any way.
Emma's straightforward, non-nonsense, account of her time as a soigneur and of her role in unveiling the truth about Lance Armstrong and doping in cycling is engaging and fresh despite the material being largely familiar to anyone who has followed the saga closely. It's both brutal about Armstrong as a person and as a doper, but his also places his performance drug abuse in the context of the sport at the time. It's interesting that Armstrong himself provides the foreword to the book as he doesn't come out of it well- but O'Reilly does commend both his charitable activities and still seems to feel guilt about telling the truth about what was happening at US Postal. Once again, the true villains of the tale appear to be those behind the team who were enabling and encouraging the doping even though it's the riders themselves who have suffered (of course, they are not blameless but they have largely faced punishment where others have not). Overall it's a good story, and I enjoyed reading it, but it's unfortunate for O'Reilly that her evidence has appeared before and that it's taken until now for her version to be published as I think the public (and me from my own personal standpoint) have heard the story too many times and want cycling to move on. It doesn't add much that's new, but it is probably the closest account you can get to US Postal and the most nuanced. If you've already read lots about Armstrong, it might be a bit too familiar- but if you've not read about it before, this would be an excellent introduction.
Once again, I was sent this via @netgalley from Thistle Publishing in return for my honest review and this has not affected my review in any way.
October 3, 2020
1) Summary of the book.
Emma O'Reilly landed her dream job as a Soigneur and eventually became the head soigneur for the US Postal Cycling Team, Tour De France champion team. This book covers Emma's career as a soigneur, doping culture in the world of cycling, and the repercussions she faced when she blew the whistle on the doping culture and the involvement of members in doping.
2) What I liked about the book
"It doesn't matter who you are, or how little you seem, or how long it takes; what's true is bigger than anyone or anything." - Emma O'Reilly
Emma had the courage to break the cycling team's omerta (code) by speaking against the doping culture. She also had the strength to stand by her principles even when her reputation was being tarnished, and her personal life was destroyed. Emma's character has to be lauded because she has forgiven the people who made her life miserable during the scandal.
I was quite surprised to see the foreword from Lance Armstrong because Emma and Lance were not on amicable terms during the whole debacle. I am really glad that they buried the hatchet at the end of everything.
Emma O'Reilly landed her dream job as a Soigneur and eventually became the head soigneur for the US Postal Cycling Team, Tour De France champion team. This book covers Emma's career as a soigneur, doping culture in the world of cycling, and the repercussions she faced when she blew the whistle on the doping culture and the involvement of members in doping.
2) What I liked about the book
"It doesn't matter who you are, or how little you seem, or how long it takes; what's true is bigger than anyone or anything." - Emma O'Reilly
Emma had the courage to break the cycling team's omerta (code) by speaking against the doping culture. She also had the strength to stand by her principles even when her reputation was being tarnished, and her personal life was destroyed. Emma's character has to be lauded because she has forgiven the people who made her life miserable during the scandal.
I was quite surprised to see the foreword from Lance Armstrong because Emma and Lance were not on amicable terms during the whole debacle. I am really glad that they buried the hatchet at the end of everything.
November 16, 2014
I was torn between 3 and 4 stars. It's not a great book per es but engrossing and hard to put down. What Emma OReilly went through after blowing the whistle on Lance is hellacious at best. Also interesting to see what the guys on Postal we're really like personality wise.
September 30, 2018
There is a certain irony in the title, one of a few inconsistencies that cloud an otherwise illuminating account. For O'Reilly is keen to stress that she feels Armstrong is a bit hard done by in his punishment, and feels used by assorted parties when all she wanted to do was clean up the culture, rather than settle any personal score with Lance.
About a half to two thirds of this is a more standard biography, of her role as a soigneur in professional cycling, and the remainder is given to the personal attacks she received when she gave her testimony for a David Walsh book. She is quite critical of Walsh, and when you read what happened, you can understand why, as she seemed to be used as a weapon against Armstrong rather than receiving genuine support. The latter section is much more interesting, as unfortunately 'competent employee does job well' is not a brilliant story.
Whilst only O'Reilly knows the full story, it did seem weird she was quite eager to defend Armstrong. Yes, they had had a good relationship, but he was only too happy to make personal smears against her when it suited him. Yes, he was punished more, but there is more evidence of him bullying people and forcing them off his team, as well as the obvious fact that he has materially benefited a lot more than his fellow professionals.
So it seems strange that she is then so critical of other people who have their own self-interest, mainly those who wrote about Armstrong. Her own questions about him, and observations that he was just like his old self, could easily be explained by 'because he's a psychopath', and if the culture of drug taking was far more important than Armstrong, why does his name appear in the full book title first?
However the sorry saga was mostly dispiriting from all sides - the governing body was happy to turn a blind eye or even help a cheating team, Armstrong was happy to lie and bully people in self-preservation, and the FBI investigation came to nothing in the end. Yet for playing a fairly minor part in the whole story, O'Reilly's life was hugely affected just for telling the truth, and you wonder why anyone would be a whistleblower if this is the treatment.
About a half to two thirds of this is a more standard biography, of her role as a soigneur in professional cycling, and the remainder is given to the personal attacks she received when she gave her testimony for a David Walsh book. She is quite critical of Walsh, and when you read what happened, you can understand why, as she seemed to be used as a weapon against Armstrong rather than receiving genuine support. The latter section is much more interesting, as unfortunately 'competent employee does job well' is not a brilliant story.
Whilst only O'Reilly knows the full story, it did seem weird she was quite eager to defend Armstrong. Yes, they had had a good relationship, but he was only too happy to make personal smears against her when it suited him. Yes, he was punished more, but there is more evidence of him bullying people and forcing them off his team, as well as the obvious fact that he has materially benefited a lot more than his fellow professionals.
So it seems strange that she is then so critical of other people who have their own self-interest, mainly those who wrote about Armstrong. Her own questions about him, and observations that he was just like his old self, could easily be explained by 'because he's a psychopath', and if the culture of drug taking was far more important than Armstrong, why does his name appear in the full book title first?
However the sorry saga was mostly dispiriting from all sides - the governing body was happy to turn a blind eye or even help a cheating team, Armstrong was happy to lie and bully people in self-preservation, and the FBI investigation came to nothing in the end. Yet for playing a fairly minor part in the whole story, O'Reilly's life was hugely affected just for telling the truth, and you wonder why anyone would be a whistleblower if this is the treatment.
October 11, 2017
This book exposes the extent of doping in the world of cycling and Lance Armstrong’s involvement. The author is an Irish masseuse who landed her dream job in a male dominated sport and became the head soigneur for a Tour De France champion and his team. You will be given a glimpse into the world of a champion cyclist, learn what he was like as a person and what motivated him to be the best.
Emma is to be admired for managing to keep her resolve to tell the truth despite the personal attacks on her integrity and during a very stressful period in her life. I am amazed she managed to separate herself from the drug taking over that time and I am sure it wasn’t easy for her. It was quite a surprise to find Lance provided the foreword and even more surprising to read he admitted he went too far in his efforts to win. I tend to agree with the author’s opinion that Lance was made an example of when doping was more widespread than just a few.
Sport has a lot of merit and cycling is no exception. It is just a shame that drug taking particularly in the past has tarnished that merit. I can understand a person wanting to win at any cost but I wonder if the cost is really worth it in the end. Despite updated and extensive testing performance enhancing and other drugs continue to be taken and are likely to in the future.
If you want to learn about the rise of a champion cyclist and his fall from grace then this is the book for you.
A digital copy of this book was obtained from the publisher via Netgalley and this review was freely provided.
Emma is to be admired for managing to keep her resolve to tell the truth despite the personal attacks on her integrity and during a very stressful period in her life. I am amazed she managed to separate herself from the drug taking over that time and I am sure it wasn’t easy for her. It was quite a surprise to find Lance provided the foreword and even more surprising to read he admitted he went too far in his efforts to win. I tend to agree with the author’s opinion that Lance was made an example of when doping was more widespread than just a few.
Sport has a lot of merit and cycling is no exception. It is just a shame that drug taking particularly in the past has tarnished that merit. I can understand a person wanting to win at any cost but I wonder if the cost is really worth it in the end. Despite updated and extensive testing performance enhancing and other drugs continue to be taken and are likely to in the future.
If you want to learn about the rise of a champion cyclist and his fall from grace then this is the book for you.
A digital copy of this book was obtained from the publisher via Netgalley and this review was freely provided.
September 28, 2017
If you have followed the Tour de France and Lance, and you still have some interest in that drama, you'll like this book. Otherwise, you may not be keen on it. I thought I may have grown tired of reading all about those subjects and I did not think I'd like this book when I first started reading it. However, it was much better than expected. Yes, the story has been told before and you know how it ends up. But it gives a great insight into what life is like for those on the Tour. And of course, it gives a different slant to the story, from someone who was very closely involved, back in the day. She's Irish so the diction is slightly different than other authors and is enjoyable. I thought she gave good insights into the different rider's personalities, and a good insight into Lance's strengths and weaknesses. Despite knowing most of the story ahead of time, it was still a worthwhile read (if you want to read a little more about the drama of Lance and the Tour).
December 1, 2025
Such a convincing character and calm voice in the sea of hormones and alpha males which is the tour de France. I read Lance Armstrong's autobiography when it came out and the message of faith, in self, in science, in God, whatever, was hugely affirming to me as my mother was dying. it didn't matter when it came out that he'd been doping, it wasn't a profound truth he'd shared, just something that was meaningful enough to help me at the time. that's backed up by Emma in this book. he was a decent guy, more than others, and she didn't mean to aim for him.
whistleblowers are often hounded, sometimes to death, by the corporates they feel they must expose, and the twists in the tale of Emma's story shifts the interest from her voice and the scene to the plot itself, which carried me through to the end in fascination. great read
whistleblowers are often hounded, sometimes to death, by the corporates they feel they must expose, and the twists in the tale of Emma's story shifts the interest from her voice and the scene to the plot itself, which carried me through to the end in fascination. great read
December 23, 2023
Excellent book detailing Emma's work within the cycling community as a soigneur (masseuse and all-round organiser of the day-to-day running of the teams). Of course her most famous 'client' was Lance Armstrong and the book details her interactions with him, how she was so impressed with his recovery from cancer and how she began to have doubts about his success, leading her to realise that he was doping, like a lot of the top riders. Emma had a very tough life after she was quoted in a book dealing with Armstrong's doping by David Walsh and she ended up being sued by Armstrong and being villified by him in the media. It's nicely written, a real insight into how the cycling world works and the pressures on riders to succeed.
January 17, 2021
In the history of books that talk about the problem of drugs in cycling and the many pages dedicated to Lance Armstrong, Emma O’Reilly presents an honest account of her experiences. Thrown into the heart of the maelstrom, Emma comes out with huge credit, more so than you could say about the other characters she encounters. The story is a well trodden one but Emma offers something genuinely different, a story where you end feeling the truth has a long way to go until all the sordidness is out there and you doubt it’ll ever happen.
July 13, 2019
This is a quite different take on the “Armstrong Affair” and is a tale if forgiveness and redemption. It is professionally written, and the outcome is surprising. This book illustrates perfectly what a cruel world pro-cycling has become and how too many big egos compete for domination. Outside of cycling the author had a difficult journey and I hope she finds happiness and fulfilment in her life away from pro-cycling.
October 7, 2024
Shamrita Bhikha: Short review: It is the personal story by the author of the doping culture amongst the professional cycling community.
Favourite part of the book (or most hated part): The favourite part of the book for me is when Lance Armstrong acknowledges Emma, the author for her bravery, courage and character for revealing the truth about doping in the cycling community in the Foreword of the book
Favourite part of the book (or most hated part): The favourite part of the book for me is when Lance Armstrong acknowledges Emma, the author for her bravery, courage and character for revealing the truth about doping in the cycling community in the Foreword of the book
August 31, 2017
Thank you Netgalley for an advanced reader's copy of Race to the Truth. This well written book gives a behind the scenes look at what really happens in the competitive biking world. It was an eye-opening account of a first hand witness.
April 8, 2018
Easy to read and interesting to get a different point of view.
Lance’s involvement was a surprise.
Lance’s involvement was a surprise.
September 10, 2018
Of all the books written on the turn of the century doping culture in cycling, this one shows how defence of the lie had an adverse effect on the life of an honest soigneur.
May 28, 2019
A really nice read of the LA story from yet another view of a woman malong her place and than being thrown under the bus by journalists for their own sales. Emma is a beast in a good way!
October 24, 2019
I loved this book and the fact that Emma stood up to Lance. Looks behind the scenes of professional racing and what really goes on
July 28, 2023
Insightful into collective denial and the struggle of one person to tell the truth...and eventually come out with her personal integrity fully in tact
May 24, 2018
This is a well written life story of Emma O'Reilly, of how she had the courage, to have the truth revealed about doping in cycling. She persevered till the end at great cost to herself and family. The world believed the villains instead. Yes, Lance Armstrong was guilty, but was made an example of in my opinion, while others got off with immunity. I am glad though that he came forward and told the truth and has hopefully, moved on and healed deep wounds with the people close to him like Emma O'Reilly. Easy to read account of events that occurred. This asks the question -Has cycling ever cleaned up its act? Or any pro sport for that matter?
March 9, 2017
I read this straight after finishing Lance Armstrong's "It's not about the bike" - I thoroughly recommend reading in that order.
I think Armstrong's book is a great read (see my review) BUT, obviously there is a huge cloud hanging over it, being the full truth. And this book serves up a fair dose of the truth (as opposed to an unfair dose of anything else...).
Emma's book is not as sharply written, her voice is more, well, Irish - passionate and furious in a lot of places. But, she had a lot to be furious about. Her treatment is beyond horrific - the fact that she came through it and was able to forgive and find peace with Armstrong is probably more inspiring than Armstrong's narrative about the comeback from cancer.
A sad, seedy episode - but Emma's ability to find peace after all of the underhand things thrown at her is the truly happy ending.
I think Armstrong's book is a great read (see my review) BUT, obviously there is a huge cloud hanging over it, being the full truth. And this book serves up a fair dose of the truth (as opposed to an unfair dose of anything else...).
Emma's book is not as sharply written, her voice is more, well, Irish - passionate and furious in a lot of places. But, she had a lot to be furious about. Her treatment is beyond horrific - the fact that she came through it and was able to forgive and find peace with Armstrong is probably more inspiring than Armstrong's narrative about the comeback from cancer.
A sad, seedy episode - but Emma's ability to find peace after all of the underhand things thrown at her is the truly happy ending.
August 22, 2021
By far one of the most insightful books into the world of professional doping, if you find anything about performance enhancing drugs in sport interesting read this book !
July 9, 2015
I did not set out to read this book. It popped up one day as a recommended read on Amazon and I was tired of some of the more serious books I'd been reading. I'm glad I did.
I found this book to be very interesting. I'd followed this story since it broke, and to finally hear her whole side was very interesting. At the end of the day, David Walsh is the Captain Ahab that was willing to sacrifice her all along. I didn't like his approach when he wrote LA Confidential, and I like him less now that I know what he intentionally put Emma O'Reilly through.
I admire her willingness and ability to so completely forgive Lance, someone who hurt her so badly. I hope he stays true to his comment of "the whole truth will come out." I'm still waiting for that.
I'd recommend the book to anybody who loves cycling.
I found this book to be very interesting. I'd followed this story since it broke, and to finally hear her whole side was very interesting. At the end of the day, David Walsh is the Captain Ahab that was willing to sacrifice her all along. I didn't like his approach when he wrote LA Confidential, and I like him less now that I know what he intentionally put Emma O'Reilly through.
I admire her willingness and ability to so completely forgive Lance, someone who hurt her so badly. I hope he stays true to his comment of "the whole truth will come out." I'm still waiting for that.
I'd recommend the book to anybody who loves cycling.
August 3, 2014
This really is an interesting book, totally recommended read for sports people who have followed the Lance Armstrong story. This is the perspective of a person who genuinely didn't want to be involved and decided to speak the truth to try and clean up the sport. Emma is incredible and shows true forgiveness in a world where cheating, deception and bullying was used to keep the truth from surfacing at any cost. I read both a Lance Armstrong books before he was exposed and will look to read the autobiographies of other riders involved in the US Postal Service team, Lance Armstrong's empire......
November 11, 2015
Good to an account from someone who wad actually close to Armstrong, while the guy was a complete and utter disgrace in his attitude ,m I do think she has a point when she says that his ban was over the top,compared to the rest thoof those caught, it still remains for Armstrong to come clean and expose all those who covered up...once the law suits are over I sense a "revealing ..tell all" book from LA
May 23, 2015
A good read, with (I think) a properly nuanced view of drugs and cycling, which believes that the UCI is as much to blame as the riders for what was going on. Sad that Emma O'Reilly had to endure what she did.
April 1, 2015
Not great writing, author is a bit whiny for my taste, but it's easy to get caught up in what will happen next. An insiders account of What a crazy, shameless, sexist world cycling was/is.
March 13, 2016
Brilliant full stop !!
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews