Photo via Harper Collins

Cycle of Lies: The Fall of Lance Armstrong, a soon-to-be-published book by New York Times reporter Juliet Macur, offers a definitive account of the rise and fall of Lance Armstrong, one of cycling’s greatest legends.

From 1999 to 2005, Armstrong won the Tour de France seven consecutive times times before he was disqualified, stripped of his titles and banned from competitive racing for life by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA).

Armstrong was once admired and respected by fans everywhere for fighting and defeating testicular cancer, which spread to his brain, abdomen and lungs. He founded the Lance Armstrong Foundation to support other cancer victims in their fight for survival against the disease. After the doping scandal, he stepped down from the charity, which was subsequently renamed the Livestrong Foundation.

Armstrong was once so popular, both on and off the racing circuit, that many fans were initially angered when allegations of doping made him the subject of USADA and federal investigations.

While researching the book, Macur had privileged access to Armstrong. She spoke with him at length several times as the scandal unfolded. She also spoke with over 100 people close to Armstrong, including his girlfriend, children, grandmother, an aunt, his adoptive father, former teammates and his former wife, Kristen Richards. Using official records, transcripts and recordings, as well as original research and interviews, Macur provides unique insight and analysis into Armstrong’s stunning rise and fall from grace.

Cycle of Lies, published by Harper Collins, will be available in both hardcover and eBook formats on March 4.