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The Secret Race offers an in-depth exploration of professional cycling and the pervasive doping culture, focusing on Tyler Hamilton's experiences and his relationship with Lance Armstrong. Through over two hundred hours of interviews conducted by Daniel Coyle, the book unveils a hidden world filled with unscrupulous doctors, relentless team directors, and athletes willing to risk everything for victory. Hamilton, once a celebrated cyclist known for his extraordinary endurance and pain tolerance, experienced both triumph and tragedy. He famously finished fourth in the 2003 Tour de France despite a severe collarbone injury and was a key member of Armstrong’s team during his seven Tour victories. However, after winning a gold medal at the 2004 Olympics, Hamilton's career ended abruptly when he was found guilty of doping. The narrative chronicles his rise in the sport during the 1990s, a time when the introduction of EPO transformed cycling and fostered a win-at-all-costs mentality. Hamilton candidly shares his struggles with clinical depression and the moral dilemmas faced by elite competitors. This courageous account reveals the harsh realities of a sport driven by ambition, shedding light on the personal and psychological toll of striving for greatness.