"As Carmichael pointed out to me, Armstrong has always been gifted, but 'genetically he is not alone. He is near the top but not at the top. I have seen people better than Lance that never go anywhere. Before Lance had cancer, we argued all the time. He never trained right. He just relied on his gift. He would do what you asked for two weeks, then flake off and do his own thing for a month or two.' " . . . Carmichael believes that rigorous training is what ultimately turns a talented athlete into a star. 'Who hits more practice balls every day than any other golfer?' Carmichael asked. 'Guess what? It's Tiger Woods.' "

--Michael Specter in the July 15 New Yorker.