Seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong had denied numerous doping accusations, but in 2012 the International Cycling Union banned him from competition thanks to evidence of career-long drug use.
Tainted glory —
Seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong had denied numerous doping accusations, but in 2012 the International Cycling Union banned him from competition thanks to evidence of career-long drug use.
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Scott Mercier, pictured on the left, was a cyclist who refused to dope. That decision cost him his professional career.
To dope or not to dope —
Scott Mercier, pictured on the left, was a cyclist who refused to dope. That decision cost him his professional career.
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Armstrong joined the U.S. Postal Service team in 1998, riding for it for six years. Mercier also signed in 1997 but chose to quit after refusing to dope.
Postal delivery —
Armstrong joined the U.S. Postal Service team in 1998, riding for it for six years. Mercier also signed in 1997 but chose to quit after refusing to dope.
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Mercier says Armstrong, pictured here in a 1998 charity race, was "the star and one of a kind."
One-off talent —
Mercier says Armstrong, pictured here in a 1998 charity race, was "the star and one of a kind."
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Mercier says he "didn't have any options" when he left the U.S. Postal cycling team after one season.
Mercier says he "didn't have any options" when he left the U.S. Postal cycling team after one season.
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Armstrong went on to win seven Tour de France races, though he was subsequently stripped of the titles.
Tour de France winner? —
Armstrong went on to win seven Tour de France races, though he was subsequently stripped of the titles.
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Despite the different trajectories their respective careers took, Mercier has become a close friend of Armstrong, describing them as "Lance and the anti-Lance."
Despite the different trajectories their respective careers took, Mercier has become a close friend of Armstrong, describing them as "Lance and the anti-Lance."
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Mercier and Armstrong go on long rides together near their homes in Colorado, discussing memories of the sport and where it should head in future.
Food for thought —
Mercier and Armstrong go on long rides together near their homes in Colorado, discussing memories of the sport and where it should head in future.
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Mercier is now a financial adviser, and Armstrong said he did not follow his compatriot's anti-doping path because "there was no field waiting for Scott Mercier, no factory: Wall Street was waiting."
Different paths —
Mercier is now a financial adviser, and Armstrong said he did not follow his compatriot's anti-doping path because "there was no field waiting for Scott Mercier, no factory: Wall Street was waiting."
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Armstrong waves during a parade in his honor in 1999.
Height of his fame —
Armstrong waves during a parade in his honor in 1999.
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Armstrong is immortalized in a graffiti "doping" artwork in Los Angeles in 2013.
Drawn conclusion —
Armstrong is immortalized in a graffiti "doping" artwork in Los Angeles in 2013.
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