A talented accomplished young cyclist is diagnosed with cancer and determined to do whatever it takes to survive and regain his championship form. The American hero inspires millions by stringing together win after win, all while starting one of the most influential cancer research campaigns ever. After years of speculation everything comes crashing down as seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong admits to using steroids while competing, and is stripped of his wins, awards, and his once unconditional admiration.
TIMELINE:
• September 18, 1971 Born in Austin, TX and raised by a single mother who is just 17
• 1985 Wins the Iron Kids triathlon
• 1987 at just 16 Armstrong becomes a sponsored athlete competing in triathlons
• 1991 Becomes the youngest US Amateur Cycling Champion
• Summer 1992 Competes at the Barcelona Olympics finishing 14th in the road race
• 1993 At age 21, wins the World Cycling Championship, beating five-time Tour de France winner Miguel Indurain, who takes second. He also wins his first stage of the Tour de France.
• July 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games: 6th in Men's Time Trial; 12th in Men's Road Race. Ranked #1 in the world.
• October 2, 1996 Diagnosed with testicular cancer that spreads to his brain and lungs His sponsor Cofidis promptly ends their endorsement of him.
• 1997 Wins in his first race back, a 56k sprint in his hometown of Austin, TX
• 1997 Forms the Lance Armstrong Foundation – providing support to people affected by cancer.
• 1998 Marries Kristin Richard, wins Tour de Luxembourg. Years later when his wins would be taken away this is considered his last win.
• July 25, 1999 Wins first of seven Tour de France titles. Wins the opening stage in 1999 and three others. His dominance in 1999 is unexpected. Journalists suspect that he and most other cyclists are doping. But the evidence is circumstantial.
• July 24, 2005 Wins his final Tour de France title and announces his retirement from the sport.
• July 2009 As part of a comeback Armstrong finishes third at the Tour de France
• 2011 Armstrong retires from cycling for the second time.
• 2012 USADA formally charges Armstrong of using performance-enhancing drugs.
• August 2012 After a legal chess match Armstrong announces he will not fight the doping charges. The USADA bans him for life from cycling and strips him of his 7 Tour de France titles.
• 2013 In a tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey Armstrong admits that he used performance-enhancing drugs in all 7 Tour de France wins.